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tmo*t*rv Of
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ANEW
HIS T O R Y
O F
SCOTLAND;
1; PROM
It:
"The Earlieft ACCOUNTS,
T O
JThe present time.
'■ By JOHN BELFOUR.
*':V .. .. "
< Ex us negottts, qua ingtnio exercentur, in primis
magno ufui eft memoria rerum geftarum.
LONDON:
for E. and C, DILL^ in the Povmpjiy*
Ij M.DCC.LXX.
L Digitized by GoOglC
V>ft
760
3«
N. B. This BO O K is Entered at Sta-
tioner's-HalL
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&,43*3f'-/l?
( »i )
PREFACE.
TO expatiate on the pleafure and profit
which are derived from Hiftory,
when the world appears to be fo fenfible of
its utility, would be only to fill an exhaufted
theme with needlefs repetitions : — to infift
then on the fubjed:, any further than by way
of motto, might juftly be thought imper-
tinent*
Univerfal hiftory however is a field of fucli
extent, as to require more time, pains, and ..ex -
pence, than moft people can fpare forits cultiva-
tion. It has therefore been parcelled out among
the generality of mankind, who have refpec-
tively devoted fome part of their leifure hours
to the improvement of thofe portions, which
A 2 | were
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tnsvi
iv PREFACE.
were either in, or adjoining to, their native
country. For it feems evident, — abftracted
from that belt portion of ancient hiftory, con-
tained in v the lacrpd Annals, that ihoiern tfrif-
tory, to thofe readers, who are engaged in
the a&ive fcenes of life, muft be the ftttdy^
which they will find moft conducive, both
to their "amufement at home, and tp -their
advantage with fociety*
But many who may have been extremely de-
firous of obtaining a competent (kill la this rir«
tional and delightful fcience, have/ometimes
found their inclinations damped by huge folios,
which, thbugh very agreeable and neceflary
to the learned, they could Ipare neither money
to purchafe, nor time t6 peftife. For fuch
perforis therefore, as well as for youth in
fcbotlsy the moft remarkable incidents in the
hiftory of a people have been e&cerpted
from bulky writers, and sojnprifcd in fuch a
2 T volume,
Digitized by G00gle
F R E F A 6 £ . v
volume, as might at once prove cheap, conve-
nient, entertaining, and inftru&ive.
Hiftories of England have been publilhed
in almoft every fize; and had the fame me-
thod been puriued with regard to her ancient
filter country, Scotland, the prefent fmall
performance had poflibly been precluded:
Amidft piles of great books, which recQrd
the affairs of thofe brave and warlike peo-
ple the Scots, — who, of old, ftruggled in the
caufe of liberty, with the moft amazing forti-
tude, — there feemed wanting a^nemorial like
this, to diffufe a more general knowledge of
their exploits: And the encouragement which
has been given to fuch kind of Epitomes*
was an additional inducement to the under-
Secret caufes of events, long delineations,
of charadlers, and a numbzr of political re-
flections, are not in the following pages to
be expe&ed. It is hoped, however, that the
reader will find a faithful and connedted nar-
A 3 " ' native
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vi _ IV K^ E F fi A C B.
rarive or leading occurrences, in a ffife
rather jelpatc^ than lifekfs. Such at lead
has teen the Author's aim through the
courfe of this little work, which he now de-
l^^itQ'tl^e public, and fubmits to 'the no-
tice 1 of" cripicifm, with much diffidence, and
the greatcft relpeft*
• ^
INTRO-
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INTRODUCTIOKr.
■; V'-
THE antiquity qf almoft every people W
uncertain. ' National pride and 1 cretftflftjk
which 1 characterize mankind in their illite-
rate ftate, invented and believed the moft ridiculous
fables. Exaggerated by tradition, they afterward
gained faith from antiquaries, and being then re-
corded by bigotted writers, htftory, which fhould
convey truth and lead to wiftlom, has been fre-
quently a channel for error and abfurdity. This
was particularly the cafe, with regard to Scottifh
annals, the firft periods of which are extremely dark
and fabulous. The Scots have been confidered as
the defendants of Scota, the daughter of Pharoah,
king of Egypt, co-temporary Vitn Mofes. Some
have traced them to Milo, King of Spain ; whilft
ethers again have brought them from Scythift and
Germany. But the moft popular fiction was, that
they were the old inhabitants of Ireland ; her anti-
quaries affuring us, that they lived there many
centuries before the Incarnation, in a very flourifh-
kxg condition, both as to politics and literature.
Notwithstanding this pompous and flattering ac-
count is more infilled on than the others, it would,
however, be eafier to prove, (what indeed is now
gene»|tly believed) that, on the contrary, Ir$-
Sulf'ivas firft peopled from Britain. But be this as
it 'may, it is pretty evident, from analogy of lan-
{uage, and the concurrent teftimony of Greek and
Loman authors, much more to be depended on
than vague traditions, that the ancient Caledonians
-were, originally, a colony of Celts from Gaul (now
3 called
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INTRODUCTION.
called France), who themfelves wandered thither
from the Lefler Afia, Moft probably they named
the place that they finally fettled in, Cael-doch,
which, in the old Gallic tongue, figni/ies, the coun-
try of the Celts or Gauls : Hence the Romans, by
a tranfpofition of the / in Gael, ttnd rhaliging the
harfh ch of Dock into an harmonious termination,
formed, Caledonia, the old name of- all that land
to the north of the Friths of Forth and Clyde.
The pofterity of "thefe Caledonians, from a cuftom
then among tijern of painting their bodies, were
denominated Pitfs. But from whence the defen-
dants of thefe; acquired the prefent name of Scot,
has puzzled, hitherto, the moft diligent antiquaries.
One thinks it to be from the Celtic word Scotb,
the name of the boats which the Caledonians uied ;
another imagines it may come from the Britifh
word Scodey which fignifies a corner; and a third,
has a conjecture, not improbable, on the Gallic
word Scuta, a wanderer. However, the ety-
mon of the word, is, at this diftance of time, of
Very little figm&cation. Suffice it to fay, that Spot
and Pick appear to have been names, not affumei
by the Caledonians themfelves, but impofed on them
by the Romans and others from local circumftances ;
the /illiterate Highlander, who ftill calls himfelf
Cael, and his countiiy Caeldoch, being an abfolute
.ftrangejr to either.
# (. Scotland, from whatever accident it received its
prefent name, is now however a flourifliing country.
it is foliated between i and 6 degrees of W. Longi-
, tude^nd 54 and 59 of N. Latitude, is about 300 miles
in length, and 150 in breadth; bounded on tlje
K. by the Caledonian ocean; on the E. by the
. Gern^aa; by the rivers Tweed and Elk, which di-
vide, it : fron^ England, on the S. and by the Atlantic
ocean, and the Irifh fea on the Weft. Scotland
thus fituated, and furnifhed with good harbours, is
well adapted to commerce,, and particularly favour-
.., . ^ " 7 <'\" .' able
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I N T R O D U C Tj I OyN>
able to foreign trade. In the neceflaries T of dife fee
is fufficiently fertile. Her mountains produce cop*,
per, iron, and lead, befides coal. T Her forefts, foine
of which are 20 to 30 miles long, afford plenty
of timber; other parte of the country produce heinp
and flax, and her rivers teem with myriads of fi(h.
North and South Britain being now incorporated,
the inhabitants are, inmoft rcfpe&s, prejtty funilar.
As the old Highlanders indeed -ftill retain a few
ancient cuiloms, a flight view of thek mote imjn?*-
diate progenitors may not be improper., . ;*.-•
The Caledonians appear to have been talj, well-
made, and, in general, yellow haired. The fkip
of heafts wrapt round them, was, at firft^ their otb-
\y cloathing ; but afterwards they wore plain and
party coloured mantles. A contrivance, not un-
Jike the .prefent breaiWmckle, fattened them at top.
'this, according to the wearer's fancy, was of either
brafs or iron, which metals they greatly efteemed,
and wore in rings round their necks and bodies.
Tlte woman's mantle reached down to the ancle,,
the man's not fo low, and in this confuted the on-
Jy difference between thedrefs of the males and the
females. As they moft commonly fought their bat-
tles naked, it was the opinion of Roi&an and other
writers that they always went fo. They fed .on
venifon, milk, and the natural growth of their
fields and woods ; fome fay that, like the South Bri-
tons, they fcrupled to eat fHh, hares and poultry.
They often had hunting parties. After they had
killed their game, they dreifed it by making a pit
which they lined with fmooth ftones; on thefe,
properly heated, they put fome venifon, then a
layer of ftones over it, and fo alternately till the pit
was full, confining the fteam with heath.* At thefe
feafts, they drank out of fhells, a ftrong liquor
made of barley, which they called Curmi, and
which, fome have thought, was what is now called
Ufqueiaughy the favourite liquor of the prefent
High-
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IN TRODUCTION.
Highlanders. They Jived chiefly in the woods, in
huts, made of fad and covered with, turf * though
(pmc of the heads of clans, it feems, had little
Jteae c^ftles built on eminences. v -
Oqe peculiar cuiiom among the Caledonians,
Xvas , 4 for ten or twenty relations, or friends, r to live
together , .and have their wives in common j lying
jir<^iicupii|ly T on one continued bedo/ rujfhes^ fern,
c^ : k^ves^ : The, wife of a Caledoniaji^im^ bejng
rallied,, .on this account, by the emprefs Julia,, and
Otherjadies^, at the court of Severus, is faid -£•
)>ave matfe this frnart repartee j *« We*idy do th^t
openly, with the flower of our men, which ypudo
in fecret, with the fcum.of you^s." By this cuftom,
though indeed barbarous, they prevented caufekhf
jealoufies as well as real adultery, and made a more
general concern of the education of their children,
who were always looked upon as the iflue of the
man that originally married the mother. Agricul-
ture and trade were but faintly profecuted by them,
if at all. Difrant clans plundered each other y not-
withftanding which, they were hofpitable to ftran-
gers, and ufed to exchange weapons with them in
token of friendship. Foreigners always efteemed
them a healthy, a ftrong, and a brave people. War
was their chief ftudy ; hunting their exercife $ run-
ning, leaping, wrefHing r throwing the dart, hea-
ving large ftones, and darting the lance, (at which
laft they were particularly expert) were their accpra-
plifhments. In their battles, they ufed darts, fpears,
long fwords, and fmall fhields, which they ftained
with different colours. Their fpears or lances*
which they ufed more than any other weapons, had
a piece of brafs, in fliape of an egg, fixed to the
Jower end of them ; and as they uiually attacked
their enemies in the darkeft nights, they uiook thefe
to terrify them with the noife. Like the Britons
of the South, they fought alfo with chariots, ha-
ving (harp pieces of iron like fcythes fattened to the
axel,
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INTRODUCTION.
axel, which in the furious manner they drove made
a terrible havock. Some writers have doubted whe*-
ther the Caledonians ufed any particular worfhip.
But as religion, from an inftin& inherent in man,
was certainly always more prevalent than atheifm,
{which perhaps never exifted in a mind perfe&ly
found) there is no queftioh but that they had ;
and die veftiges ftill remaining in many parts dEf
Scotland, funtciently demonftrate that it was Dro-
idifm* The Druids had their name from the Cel-
tic word Diru , an oak, becaufe their religious cere-
monies wcrfe chiefly performed near oaks, large
trunks ©f which tney frequently burnt at their
feftival*. They had ah high regard for the Mifel-
toe growing on thefe trees, which they gathered
with great folemnity. They likewife offered up to
their gods Dis and Sam*tAes 9 human facrifices ; and
the more wicked thefe had been, the more accep-
table they imagined them. The Caledonians ap-
pear alfo to have worshipped the fun and moon,
under the names of Gramius and Diana. They
flood in great awe of their priefts the Druids, (whote
chief doctrine was the tranfmigfation of fouls) as
their perfons were efteemed facred, and their power
in religious and civil affairs was absolute. Be-
fides the EubAtes* who ftudied Ethics and
natural philofophy, and compofed facred poetry,
*herfe was another order of men called Bxirfa
who were cdnfidered as herahb, and inferior poets.
At an annual feaft, tbey repeated their poems ; and
f&ih of them as were thought worthy to be pre-
ferved were, to that end, taught to their children.
There is no mention of any particular laws
among the ancient Caledonians; and ^perhaps if
there had been any, the fword, in the hands of men
under no regular government, would have rendered
them *tfelefs. As to their funerals, the afhes of
their great warriors were depofited in urns, which
together with the fword of the deceafed, and the
heads
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introduction;
heads of twelve arrows, were fticlofed in a kind of
coffin made with fix large ftones ; thefe they buried
fix or eight feet deep, and four ftones marked the
extent of the grave ; on which it was reckoned a
.mark of refpecl, for perfons, who at any time paffed
by, to pile other ftones ; and the larger they were,
the more refpe&ful. This accounts for thole irony
hillocks in many places through Scotland, which
the Highlanders call Cairnes^ and when they would
comfort adyinglriend, " IJball adiajloru to your
cahrnt" is yet a common faying with them. The
religion of the old Scots made them- fuperftitioua
Sanctified girdles, which with a particular ceremony
were wrapped about women in labour, werefuppofed
to eafe their pains, and forward the birth. They
imagined that ftorms were raifed by the ghofts of the
dead, who, in that manner, tranfported themfelves
from place to place; and it was likewife their
opinion that they hovered over, affifted, and pro-
jected them in the day of battle
Having thus given fome little account of the
genius, manners, and cuftoms of the Caledonians,
who were the real anceftors of the Pi&s and Scots,
notwithftanding that they afterwards divided into
feparate kingdoms, the Hiftory can now proceed
without interruption. And the Reader will pleafe
to obferve, that, as the Arft forty kings, of which
fome writers have made mention, feem to be fi&i-
tioufly grounded on the Irifh defcent of the Scots,
they are difregarded as fabulous.
NEW
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NEW .-;.: *
HI S T O R Y
O F
S C O ¥ L A N D.
MONARCHY, in Scotland, was eftablifiied in
the beginning of the 5th century ; but the de-
ftrudtion of her records, bv Edward the firft of
England, in the 14th, has left little elfe to be re-
lated of thofe kings, who fucceffcvely filled the
throne until near that aera, than that they lived ^and
djed.
For the fake of method, however,^ and to :pre-
ferve chronology, which is the fpirit of hiftory, It
b fit they fliould be mentioned. .
In the year 403, hiftorians are unani- p m
mous, that one Fergus was king of the . e Sgu$-
Scots 5 what was his rank or dignity * ' 4°3 -
# before he afcended the throne is uncertain ; but it
is pretty plain that he was a native as well as the
firft monarch of that nation. He greatly harrafled
the Britons, till they called the Romans to their
afiiftance, in the year 418 ; his army was then de-
feated in a pitched battle, and he himfelf {lain.
B His
Digitized by GoOgle
2 4?ew History &TSCOTLAND.
^ His fon Eugene* jvho fucceeded him,
Jiugene. followed his fteps ; and the Romans
410. being very foon called home, tht
Britons, unable of thenifelves to ftahd againft him,
fued for peace j which was offered them on tfce fol-
lowing conditions: " ift, That the Britons re-
ceive no,afliftance from any foreign power; and if
any of them fhould voluntarily vifit them, that they
cppofe their progrefs. 2d, That, without the con-
currence of the Scots, the Britons fhall neither
make war nor peace. 3d, That the river Humber be
the boundary of their kingdom ; and 4thly, That
they pay down a certain fum for the ufe of the Scotch
foldiers, which as a fine fhould be continued an-
nually." For the performance of thefe articles
two hoftages were demanded ; .but the Britons, ra-
ther than fubmit to them, invited over the Saxons,
. by whofe aid they routed the Scots at Grantham in
Lincolnfhire ; and it is reported that Eugene was
drowned in the Humber.
jy , Dongard his brother and fucceflbr
ongar . ma j e peace, and continued on good
45 2# terms with them till his death in
457-
r> a #• ' Conftantine* who was another bro-
lon/tanttne* ^ ^ fil , ed Ac thrQne . rf whom
457' different writers give the moft op-
pofite characters. He lived till 479, when his place
f I wa§ fupplied by his nephew, Conga/*
on i • w h appears to have been in the main
479' - a peaceable prince, tho>' we are told
that he had feveral fkirmifhes with the Saxons.
p Dying in the year 501, he was-
A* or an. fucceeded by his brother Goran* who
5 01 * fwerving, it feems, from the princi-
ples of juftice with which he began his reign, was,
together with one Toncet, his iniquitous jufticiary,
put to death.
^
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New Hjstory o? SCOTLAND; . £
Eugene 2d^
A. D. 535.
ConvaU
558.
KinnateU
568.
Atdan.
569.
In 535, £*£w fucceeded his uncle
Goran. He tiffifted the famous king
Arthur againft the Saxons, till the
end of his reign in 558 ; and Con-
val, his brother and fucceflbr, con-
tinued the alliance; and Kinnatel 9
another brother, next acceded to the
throne; but being confumptive, he
reigned only a year.
Goran's ion Aidan being then king,
cleared the province of Galloway of
many bands of robbers that infefted it :
after which he grew jealous of the power of Ethel-
fred, king of the Northumbrians, and therefore
invaded his territories ; but he received at laft fuch
a mortifying defeat, that, on his return home, he
is faid to have died of grief. According to fome
authors, the city, Edinburgh* is indebted to this
monarch for her origin and name.
He was fucceeded in 604 by Con-
val's fon Kenetb 9 who reigning but
twelve months, the crown next came
to Eugene, Aidan's fon, who enjoved
it peaceably fixteen years. It tnen
devolved on his eldeft fon, Fmhara\
who deftroyed himfelf in a dun-
geon, to which his fubjefts, on account of his vi-
cious life, had confined him.
His brother Donald in 632 fat next ' Donald. *
on the throne, which, on his death 632.
in 646, was filled by Ferchard, Do- ~ , , ,
Raid's nephew, who died after a quiet TV 2 *
.reign of eighteen years, refulting * %
from his gooa management, tho* on the contrary
ibme have recorded him as a monfter of vice.
He was fucceeded in 664 by Mai- %A , , .
duin the fon of Donald ; a prince of m *gutn*
great virtue. He quelled an infurrec- * )0 **
B % tioii
Keneth.
604.
Eugene 3d.
605.
Fer chard.
621.
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4 New History of SCOTLAND.
tion in the {hires of Argyle and Lenox, which had
arifen in the beginning of his reign j flie remainder i
of which, being in perfect peace at home and abroad, '
he fpent in a&s of piety ; neverthelefs, fay fome, I
his queen, in a fit of jealoufy, had him murthered ;
for which faci (he and many accomplices were
burnt, I
P f u I* 1 684, we find on the throne his I
A^D^io * nephew Eugene, who defeated the 1
* •. 4" Saxons that had defigned to invade I
Galloway : he reigned five years, and then was fuc- I
P , ceeded by Ferchard's fon, Eugene, who
• Eugene 5 . . j- ec j j n <b^ y leaving his crown to his
a t Li *l nephew Amberkeleth, who was killed
Amoerkeleth. fcy an arrow in the fecond year of |
97' his reign, as he was eafing himfelf i
-, , , in a wood. His brother Eugene then I
Eugene Otn. mounting tht throne, concluded a j
99' folemn treaty with the Pi 61s, with '
whom his ancettors, for more than a century, had I
been at variance. In order to ratify it he married
Sbondona, the daughter of Garnard king of that na-
tion. Spondona was fhortly afterwards murthered
in her bed by two men, who miftook her for the
king, againft whofe life they had confpired, for 1
having put to death their father. Eugene himfelf '
being fulpe&ed guilty of the fa&, was ordered by I
his own, as well as by the pi&ifh nobility, to appear
at their affembly, and take his trial ; before which |
time 5 the afTaffins being apprehended, they abfolved j
the kijfjg by a public confeffion. Eugene was fo I
nettled at this indignity, that lie could fcarcely be j
prevailed on to avoid an open rupture with the per- 1
fons who had accufed him. He had nothing after j
this to difturb the peace of his reign, which ter-
minated in the year 715. |
M d ** e waS ^ ucceec ' e ^ by Murdac^ the
W m ac * fon of Amberkelqth, a pious prince,
> x 5- who repaired the churches and mo-
nafteries
-
Ote
New History of SCOTLAND,; £.
nafteries wh\ch had been injured by war : hetfiecf'in,
730, when the crown was worn by p t /:
Etfin? fon of Eugene the 6th, who is -L • fj ' ' '
faid to have been an excellent mo- ' ' 73 Q :
narch : towards the latter end of his reign, growing
unfit for ftate affairs, he appointed four of his no-
bility as regents,\who abufed their truft and power,
as has fince but too often happened ; ftriving only
to inrich themfelves. The good old king, being
unable to filence the clamours of his fubje&s, by
removing thefe obnoxious minifters, died of grief
in 761.
But Eugene? the fon of Murdac, p ,
acceding to the throne, called the late u Z™ e 7
regents to account \ one of whom he ' '
put to death, and inflicted heavy fines on the others.
It feems, however, afterwards that this king hitn-
felf, reclining in the arms of peace, gave a loofe to
his irregular paffions; and growing atlaft infinitely
worfe than the regents had been, was, for public
benefit, deservedly put to death., Etfin's fon being
the next in fucceilion, he accord- p t ^
ingly became king Fergus the 2d. er g^ s ^^
Proving very libidinous, Jie fell a fa- ? 3*
crifice to the jealous refentment of his queen 5 who,
whilft many perfons, fufpecied to have been guilty
of the murder, were in torture, confefled the deed,
end immediately ftabbed herfelf. Sel- « »
vac* the fon of Eugene the 7th then &£>*'
afcended the throne, and proved both 7 "
wife and Juft. In the third year of his reign, one
Donald Bane, who called himfelf Lord of the Ifles,
committed depredations in Kintyre and Lorn ; Sel-
vac fent a body of forces againft him, which put
him and all his followers to the fword. Soon af-
ter this, Gelcolm fon of Donald, made an infur-
reclion in Galloway; but being taken with hi$
principal followers, their punifhment put a Hop to
farther niifchief; this king died of the gout in 787 ;
B 3 ana
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e
6 New History of SCOTLAND.
j , . and was fucceeded by Achat us, the*
V A D 5" fonofEtfift - The 'Into upon his
' 7°7' acceflion, made a defcent on Kin-
tyre, but the inhabitants foon expelled them. Suf-
fering the lofs of many fliips in their voyage home,
and rearing that the Scots would pay them a vifit
in their turn, ambaffadours were fent from that na-
tion to adjuft matters with Achaius, who accor-
dingly concluded a very fatisfa&ory treaty. It is
reported that Charlemagne entered into the moft
friendly alliance with this king, and that they mu-
tually affifted each other with troops. Achaius
likewife, at Charles's defire, fent over to him many
men of the beft learning. His preceptor Alcuin
being a Scotchman, not a litttle contributed to im-
prove the friendfhip between thefe monarchs, whofe
fucceflbrs for a feries of years maintained this inter-
courfe.
Achaius having reigned thirty-two years in peace,
and with the greateft reputation, was fucceeded by
„ . his nephew, Convai, who dying in
ConvaU fiye years> the throne was then gjj ed
Jr9* , by Dungal the fon of Selvac, though
• L ^ n i aU not till after a flight oppofition from
4* fome of his fubje&s, who endea-
voured to bring in Alpin, fon of Achaius : he ap-
pears rather to have defired the pidtifh throne, which
was then vacant ; but the Pi£rs preferred one of
their own noblemen. Alpin considering this pre-
ference as a great affront, Dungal generoufly en^
gaged to force the Pifts to eleft him, and marched
at the head of a large army for that purpofe ; but !
being drowned in /^roflirig the river Spev, Alpin
j. . then in 831 became king of Scotland- '
^ m% Alpin, ftill grafping at the piflifh
°3 1- throne, marched onward. ThePi&S
hearing his intentions, fent offers of peace 5 but
Alpin refufing every fubmiffion but an abfohite fur*
render of the crown, they prepared to give him
battle*
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Nfiw History of SCOTLAND. #;
battle. Before the engagement, Brudus, the pi&i/fc
king, ordered every attendant, man or woman, tcjt
mount on horfeback $ and while both armies werer
fiercely engaged, thefe appearing as he had com-
manded them, ftruck fuch a panic into the Scots,
who confidering them as a reinforcement of regular
troops, that turning tail, they were flaughtered like
flieep. Alpin and the chief of his nobility were
taken prifoners : the latter they put to death before
they quitted the field; and at their return home,
refufing the greateft ranfom for the king, he was be-
headed at the place now called Pitalpy.
His fon f Kenethy fucceeding him in «. » i
834, and being ftrongly bent on re- '^D 8
venging his father's murder, is faid " * 34*
to have prevailed on his nobility, (who feemed ra-
ther averfe to the feud) by the following contri-
vance : A perfon, drefled in fifli-fkins, entered the
hall, in which they all flept after a feaft that the
king had given them, and with a long tube thun-
dered in their ears the moft dreadful threatnings if
they did not revenge the death of Alpin. The lumi-
nous appearance which this man made, joined t6
the king's folemn declaration of having alfo been
vifited by fuch an apparition, made them conclude
bim an angel fent on the occafion. They therefore
inftantly concurred with the meafures of Kerieth ;
who, muttering all his forces, was determined to
exterminate the whole race of Pi&s : he infufed a ,
ftrong fpirit of revenge into every individual of his
army, by giving " the death of Alpin " as the watch-?
word. Accordingly, when they joined battle with
the Pi£b, being victorious, they fpared neither age
nor fex. Drunken, in order to ftop their progrefs,
offered half his kingdom; but Keneth declaring
for all or none, the piftifh king united his ftrength
and hazarded another battle j in which being flain,
and his whole army either put to the fword, or
drowned ih the river Tay, every pi&iih fettlement
B 4 imme-
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t New History of SCOTLAND^
immediately furrendcred to Keneth, who thereupon
ftiled himfelf king of the Picts as well as the Scots,
and was properly the firft monarch of Scotland.
After this conqueft, by which the name of Pidts was
for the molt part, abforpt in the general one of
Scots, Keneth fat down contented j and having made
many excellent laws, his glorious reign terminated
in the year 854.. He was fuccecded by his brother
n u 1 Donald, againft whom fome of the i
aS 8 Pias revoltin s> the y werc fubdued
•" ' &* by others more loyal : he reigned af-
ter this in great tranquillity, and in 858 his nephew,
/-* a v a Conft antine mounting the throne, the
Conjiantint 2d. difaffecled p^ wer !t over to Den-
5 • mark, and invited the Danes to join
with them in the recovery of their kingdom. 1 hey
accordingly readily came over, and landing in Fife,
committed many cruelties. The king, being ap-
prifed of this, marched againft them with the beft
army which he could then collect ; but as there
were many Pi&s therein, who in the heat of battle
joined the Danes, the Scots were totally routed;
Conftantine himfelf being taken prifoner, was car-'
lied to a cave by the fea-fide and there beheaded.
P , His brother Eth\ furnamed Swiftfoot,
£ • was then declared king, but pufila-
' ** nimoufly fuffering the Danes to ra,-
vage the country witn impunity, his nobility, a£
the end of his firft year's reign, put him to deaths
and in his ftead, anno 875, proclaimed Gregory,
the fon of Dongal.
^ Gregory, immediately on his ac-
Gregory. ce flion, marched againft the Danes
75* an d Pjfts, whom he drove from
Fife into Northumberland : they had however,
thrown a garrifon into Berwick, which -having
fubdued, he put the Danes to the fword ; and
making prifoners of the Pi£ts, patted the win-*
ter in that province. Alfred the Great of England,
>eing charmed with the martial fpirit of Gregory,
' - , \ prof-
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Njew History of SCOTLANp. 9
proffered an alliance for the fecurity of both na-
tions. This was no fooner agreed on, than Gre;-
frory, having intelligence that the kingdom of lre r
. and was uiurped by two noblemen, determined
to go over and fetde Donach the minor king, who
was hiscoufin, jon the throne. The ufurpers, who
before had been at variance, now joined their forces*
and prepared to difpute his landing. Their efforts,
however, being ineffectual, Gregory drove the.m
before him, till Brian being killed, Corneil retreated
to Dublin, where receiving a reinforcement, he gave
Gregory battle, but was defeated and flain. Gre-
S»ry upon this, declared himfelf guardian to young
onach, appointed a regency, left many of his
troops in garrifon, and then returned home : But
when Donach came of age, he exchanged the
lioftages, which the Irifh had given in token of fi-
delity, for the troops which he had left behind
him'.
This monarch, juftly furnamed Great, after hav-
ing built the city of Aberdeen, died in the caftle of
Dundee, Anno 892. - To Gregory fucceeded Do*
naldy fon of Conftantine, a pacific -. „ ,
prince, who governed with prudence . °!!f 3 *
and juftice : he died 903, when Con- ' * 92#
Jiantine^ Eth Swiftfoot's fon, next acceded.
• The firft action of this monarch Conftantine 3d.
was to make an alliance with the 903.
"Danes. He then fettled the county of- Cumber-
land on Malcolm, the late king's fon j and in the
tenth year of his reign, made a law that every
future heir apparent of the kingdom fliould be
prince of it. Athelftan, the natural-fon of Edward
(to whom Englifh hiftorians affirm, and Scotch
writers deny, that Conftantine paid homage) Suc-
ceeding to the crown of England, and confidering
Cumberland as part of it, made the neceffary de-
mand on Malcolm. The prince refufing to give up '
Cumberland, was obliged to take the field in its de-
B 5 fence.
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K> New History of SCOTLAND.
fence. He was fupported by the Danes and Scofcrj
alnd Anluf an Irifh prince, fon-in-law to Conftan-
tine, alfo came over to their afliftance. Thefe united
powers were attacked by Athelftan, who after a.
fierce and obftinate battle gained a complete vic-
tory. Gonftantine does not feem to have been per-
fonaJJy prefent at the defeat; for feme fay, that he
was tnen'a monk in theCuldee monaftery of SaintL
Andrews ; where it is certain, however, that he
died hi 943, having refigned his crown in 938 to*
Malcolm j but whether the Malcolm juft men-
tioned, or another of that name, has by fome been.
M k hrt doubted. He was moft probably the
* j* ° \ hme r but whoever he was, as hefaw
'93 • h is kingdom and fubjeirs in a wretched-
plight,, he cultivated peace ; til>, having by his
great care, fbon recovered their former condition,,
he became ally to £dmund of England ; that mo-
narch having previoufly reftored Cumberland. Some
add, that in- confideration of this grant, Malcolm
agreed to attend 1 the Englifh king at all his feftivak
and parliaments. Malcolm, having aflifted the En-
glifh in taking Northumberland, returned home;
and being fevere in the adminiftration of juftice,,.
was murdered by fome villains at Ulrine, in the
county of Murray, in the ninth year of his reign*
T d ff ^ n Malcolm's aflaffination, Inditff,
inauff. the fon Q £ c on fl- ant i ne> aC ceded to.
947- the crown. In his reign, mention is.
made of a Danifh irtvafion ; but with: no proper de-
gree of authenticity. The Scots are Hkewife faid
to have recovered, under this king, the city of
Edinburgh, which fome report to have been alter-
nately poffefled-by the Danes and Saxons.
Induff dying in the year 961, was fucceeded by
j) it Malcolm's fon Duff'+Vfho proved a vir-
, &' tuous prince, and was particularly care-
9 •* ful to fupprefs robberies. As the reign
rfthisJang was4>arren of events, Buchanan has fup-
pliei
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-r
New ttisTORT of SCOTLAND*
plied that defect from his own fancy. He te
ftory, that Tome perfons faw a waxen image of J
Duff on a fpit, before a large fire raifed by witcfc
who reported that Duff's body fhould really q
like that wax ; which this hiftorian gravely fays
literally happen*
Duff dying in 965, the crown? devolved on
duff's fon, Culeriy who proving* moft ^ .
execrable monster, his kingdom,- from * |? w ',
bis bad example, became the feat of * " 9°3
fraud and rapine. This brute having ravifhed 1
daughter of Cadard, thane of Fife, the father took i
opportunity foon after to difpatch him. v , \±
Kenetb, fon of Malcolm, then afcend- ***** 3*|
ing the throne in 070, by his wif- 97 •
dom and conduct eftabliflied good order and' gove
ment. He is faid, likewife, to have- made a Is
that drunkennefs fhould^ be punifhed with dead
and that his fubjefls fhould eat but one meal a-di
Matters were fcarcely fettled to his fatisfa&ion,
fore a confiderable fleet of Danes paid him a 1
unwelcome vifit. Keneth collecting his forces,
conjuring them for the fake of their lives and lit
ty to ftand boldly againft thefe enemies, who, he I
them, were alfo foes to honor, truth andjiiftice,
mi fed a confiderable reward for every Danifh h
Notwithftanding which, it feems, that, in the ba
the Scots were (eized with a fudden panic,
were flying with the greateft precipitation, til
yeoman of the name of Hay and his two fons,- 1
their inglorious countrymen at a narrow pafs ;
partly by threats and blows having made an 1
perfiiaded them to face the enemy* Hay and
fons then 1 , armed only with the yokes which t
had juft ufed at plow,, leading the van, the Di
were totally defeated^ After the battle, the k
gave Hay the Barony of Errol as a reward forj
figiial fervices*-
Ite
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1% New Histort or SCOTLAND.
Keneth, being now at peace, began to confidcr
of his fon's fucceffion, and to that end, having
caufed the perfon whom his people had made prince
cf Cumberland to be aflailinated, lie repealed the
old law, which made the crown devolve on the
uncle* brother or nephew, rather than on the fon of
a king, and efpecially if a minor. But notwith-
ftanding all his care* he was fucceeded on his death
r«„a~ *• +u in 004 by ConftanUne* fon of Culen,
• 994* t^e cr own in fpite of the late acl: in
favour of Malcolm, Keneth's fon, who was obliged
to fly for his life y till being afterwards afiifted by
Keneth, his natural-brother, Conftantine, in 996,
was defeated arid flain. ^
C* • Grim, grandfon to king DufF, inlifting
a*6' ty t ^ e °^ * aw on ^* s r *& to * e t ^ irone i
™ * accordingly acceded to it ; fo that Mal-
colm was again disappointed. War. would in all pro-
. bability have therefore raged afrefh, if the good bilhop
Tothad had not undertaken to accommodate matters
between Malcolm and Grim : the following condi-
tions drawn up by him were mutually agreed to,
. ," That Grim enjoy the crown during his life $ that
it then revert to Malcolm y and after his death, U
the next of kin ; That in cpnfideration of G rim's pre-
fent enjoyment of the crown, all the lands, between
, the Forth and Tweed and the Forth and Clyde be
. in the mean time granted to Malcolm." The crown
being thus feciHred to Grim for his life, he grew fo
tyranical, that the people began to wifli that they
had chofen Malcolm in his ftead ; and accordingly
applying to him for redrefs, he raifed a large army,
and encountering as great an one which Grim, not-
withstanding his behaviour, was ftill mafter of, he
routed his forces ; and the king being (lain, Mal-
J Cplm at laft, in the year 1004, afcended the throne
of Scotland,
Having come thus far in the affairs of the ftate, it
is neceifary to4ook back upon tbofe of the church. .
To
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New History of SCOTLAND. i|
To determine when Scotland re- p UTTt>
ceived the firft light of Chriftianity, £ HURCH
is no eafy matter; Eaftern miiSo- WISTORY -
naries are faid to have made many converts therein
the third century ; and not to mention their patron
St. Andrew, fome have affirmed that the difciples of
the apoftle John, and even that Paul himfelf preached
there. But this is merely conjecture ; for the Druids
pretty generally governed them much later. Pal-
ladius, however, was the firft bifhop fent from
Rome; and his million from pope Celeftine was in
430. His memory was exceedingly dear to the Scots j
whom he in a great meafure converted from paganiftn
by his wifdom, learning and moderation ; and in
1494, William Shevez, archbifhop of St. Andrews,,
vifiting Padie church at Fordon, where he had been
interred, collected his bones and depofited them in*
a filver urn. In the fixth century flourifhed the
famous Columba, who crowned king Aidan, and
founded the celebrated abbey at Iona. He was
a divine, a poet, and an hiftorian. In the firft
character, he is faid to have ufed fo much aufterity
and maceration, which were the cardinal virtues of
thofe fuperftitious times, that he reduced himfelf
to almoft a fkeleton : he died at an advanced age
in 603. Mungo and St. Bridget were his co- tem-
poraries, during whofe lives, there were many dif-
. putes with the Romifh bifhops of England, con-
cerning the idle celebration of Eafter. The Scots
kept that feaft in the eaftern manner, on the
14th day of the moon Nifan, or March, on what-
ever day of the week it happened j but the Eng-
lifh, after the church of Rome, kept it on the iirft
Sunday after the 14th day j and it became at laft
a matter of fudh confequence, that after many
jarrings for half a century, bifhop Colman, .for
Scotland, in 651, undertook to difpute the point
with Agilbert, bifhop of the Weft-Saxons, in pre-
fence of Ofwald, king of the Northumbrians,
who was to be the umpire of the controverfy. After
muCh
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14 New History of SCOTtANfj.
much learned argumentation, when reference was
made to Ofwald, he afked whether they both agreed
that St. Peter was the door-keeper of heaven i and
being anfwered in the affirmative; then fays the
ridiculous king, I will follow his rules in every
thing, left when I come to heaven, he fhould fhut
the gates againft me,
BHhop Adamnan,, a learned and worthy prelate^
who fucceeded Coiman,. reconciled the Scots and
Englifh in this refpedfc. He likewife procured the
marriage of Spondona, the daughter of the Piftiflv
king ; and hy this a& and many other good offices,,
he very much conciliated the affections of the Scots-
and Pi6ts. In 697, Boniface, archbifhop of Mentz,
came into Scotland, and it is faid, was offered the:
crown, which he refufed. He built a church near
Angus, and at Telin, and at Reftnoth j fettling at laft
at Kofmarky, after having built a Church there, he
ilied. Prince Fiacre, nephew to king Aidan, went
over to France about this time, and fequeftered
himfelf ma cave, which no entreaties could prevail*
- with him to quit: many churches in France are de-
dicated to his memory-
'Till the year 870, there were no bifhops o£
St. Andrews ; that fee, which included the counties*
of Fife, Lothian, Merfe, Sterling, Angus, and
Mearns, was then given to Adrian,, who fhortly
after was killed by the Danes in the Ifle of May ;.
from that time they had a regular fucceflion ; being
firft eleded in Scotland,, and then fent over to-
Rome for confirmation. It was ere&ed into an;
archbifhoprick by Pope : Sextos' 4th' in 1472 ; the
poffeflbr was declared Primate of Scotland, and the
revenues atthereformatiohamounted inScotch money
to ^.2904. r 7. 2. which is abou** £. 250. fterling t ,
Glafgowj v is (aid to have been- founded near three
hundred yeacs fooner ; Alexander.* the 6th- erected
that likewife into an archbifhoprick in 14*94; and
at the reformation, its revenues appeared to be
£.987-. 8. 7. befides meal, maltj and falmon,.
There
New History of SCOTLAND. rj
There is a difpute whether the bifhoprick of Gal-
loway or of Orkney is the more ancient ; however*,
it is agreed* that both were eftablifhed in the fixth*
century $ the revenues of the former* were found at
the reformation to be worth £• 1137. **• 8* 1I1
moneys the latter only £.251* 2*6. exclufive of
butter* oil* wax* wood, flefh* and poultry. Oit
the planting of religion in Scotland* fhe is faid to.
Tiave been very prolific of men of learning and cha-
racter : among whom Rabanus ]\laurus and Mai-
tlulphus, the former of whom writ expofitions oa .
the whole fcriptures, and the latter a number of
excellent tra&s* (all however loft to us) were unanr-
moufly celebrated ; they both died at the clofe of
the eighth century j and the no lefs famous Joannas*
' Erigena in the century following*
Malcolm* in doubt, as to the right n - 7 7 ,
which his father^ and a majority of JMaUolm ^
his nobifity, might have to make *0°4-
him heir to the crown* and thereby eftablifh for the
future a lineal fueceffion* would not mount the
throne till the nobility were pretty unaninious that
it was legal. He then fuiFered himfelf to be crowned*.
f and having forgiven every one that had taken up.
arms under Grim, whofe body he ordered to be.
buried with his anceftors, he made hjs grandfon*.
Duncan* his heir, and accordingly Prince of Cum-
berland, defpairing* as he was then in years, of
having any male iffue* He was particularly careful
to preferve peace with England * but Ethelred, by
his cruel maflacre of the Danes*, having excited
Swein then king to revenge ; that monarch* who
was father to Canute the Great*, becoming* mafter
of England* determined alio to invade Scotland.
He accordingly equipped a fleet* and landed near
Murray ; where he defeated fome troops,, which
Malpolm had haftily collected to ftop his progrefs.
Flufhed with this iuccefs, he confidered the king-
* dom as already. flubdued ± but Malcolm havingmuf-
tenwfc
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16 New History of SCOTLAND.
tered all the troops in his power, refolved to decide
'the fate of his kingdom by one general battle. The
'Scots fought for every thing facred and valuable ;
they charged, therefore, with fuch determined jjefo-
lution, that, though victory feemed often againft
them, the Danes, after a moft terrible carnage,
Were routed. Carnus, their general, was flam in thp
'purfuit by Keith, a young nobleman who command-
ed the clan of Caithnefs. Another Scotch officer
"however difputing the honour with him, it wasde- #
cided as ufual in thofe days after the battle by An-
gle combat. Keith getting the better, the king dip-
ped his finger in the officer's blood, and made three
marks on the conqueror's fliield, faying at the fame
time, Veritas vincit; and hence arofe the arms and
motto of his descendants. After this fignal victory,
it is reported that Malcolm ingratitude divided moft
of his lands amongft his foldie/s, referving for him-
felf Jittle elfe than the Mufehill of Scone.
The Scots were but juft recovered, when another
army from Swein, under the command of his foh
Canute, landed in Scotland. Over this attempt,
we learn, that Malcolm was fufficiently victorious
to make the following peace $ " That the Danes
fhould leave Scotland, on condition that the Scots
would not aflift their enemies." Matters thus con-
tinued till the acceflion" of Canute to the Englifti
throne, when Duncan, refufmg to pay homage to
him for his principality of Cumberland, confidering
himfelf as bound- only to the Saxons, and Canute
preparing to compel him, Malcolm marched to his
graridfon's affiftance ; but before the difpute came
to a battle, Duncan, by the advice of his clergy,
agreed to perform it. This Affair being concluded,
'Malcolm returned and cultivated the arts of peace.
There ftill remained, notwithstanding all the ge-
nerofity of Malcolm, a few, who were the friends
of his predeceflbr Grim. Thefe, it is laid, fought on-
ly for a convejiient opportunity to difpatch Mal-
colm i
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New History of SCOTLAND. i%
colm; which they effected when the good king,
now eighty years of age, was at his caftle of
Glamis. But after the wretches had perpetrated
the^leed, propofing to efcape by going, over Forfar
Lake, which was then frozen, the ice gave way,
and they were all drowned. Malcolm, thus bar*
baroufly murthefed, was doubtlefs one ofthegreateft
princes that ever fwayed the Scottifli fcepter ; and
fome hiftorians have farther confidered him as le*
giflator of Scotland.
In 1034, he was fucceeded by his ^
grandfon Duncan, whofe lenity in go-
vernment feems to have given birth to a 34*
rebellion, raifed by one Macdowel ; againft whom,
Banquo, thane of Lochiibar, and Macbeth, the king's
toufin, being fent with troops, he and his clan were
deftroyed. On their return, they found the Danes,
under the command of Canute's brother, Swein, in-
vading the kingdom : they therefore fpeedily joined
the forces which Duncan himfelf had raifed and
headed 5 and the Danes being with fome difficulty
routed, repaired to their {hips, fet fail, and never
Vifited Scotland afterwards.
- - Duncan, now at peace, endeavoured to reform
Jits kingdom 5 while Macbeth, who was become
very popular, ftrove to get the crown. The fable
of the three weird lifters, who hailed him thane of
Glamis, thane of Cawder, and laftly king of Scot-
land, is well known. Macbeth was at the head of
a flxong party, who favoured the old eftablifhment ;
and being nephew to the4king, imagined that if he
"prere dead, he could eafily obtain the crown. Ac-
cordingly, he determined to facrifice his uncle ; and
his wife, being privy to the defign, urged him to a
fpeedy execution ofit. He therefore murthered Dun-
can at Invernefs, where he happened to be in courft
of a yearly circuit, which he ufed to take round
his dominions, in order to adjuft the quarrels, and
redrefs
18 New History of SCOTLAND.
M h tk rcc ^ re ^ s ^ e grievances of his fubjeSs,
Macfie £h Macbeth was now crowned at
4* ' Scone, and acknowledged as king
of Scotland. But Duncan's two fons, Malcolm
and Donald, furnamed Bane, (or the Fair) who
had eluded the fnares which he had laid for them,
{ave him great uneafinefs. Malcolm, the lawful
eir of the throne, had fled into England, and his
brother into the Ebrides or Weftern lfles, where he
coniidered them as forming fchemes to difpoffefs him
of the crown. This thought, added to the checks
of that upright arbiter. joonicience, made him fufpl-
cious and cruel. Ban quo, the very man who had
aififted him in attaining the crown, he treacheroufly
put to death. His fon Fleance efcaping, alarmed
the nobility, fo that moft of them retired to theii
refpe&iye caftles. On this behaviour of his nobles*
finding himfelf fufpe&ed, he advanced into open
tyranny. Macduff, thane of Fife, a man of power,
Was thought to be attached to Malcolm, the king's
fon. Macbeth therefore devoted him to deftru&ion,
and went to his caftle for that purpofe; but the t
thane receiving a hint thereof efcaped. The cruel '
king, on this difappointment, inhumanly put
to death his wife, his children, and his fervants.
While he was, thus butchering with unremitting
cruelty, Macduff had reached England, where meet-
ing prince Malcolm, he propofed that he fhould
afk afliftance of the Englifh to regain his throne ;
to which Malcolm, who had previoufly founded
Macduff and found him loyal, agreed. Accor-
dingly king Edward furnifhed him with 10,000
men, with which, under the command of Sibard,
prince of Northumberland, his mother's father, they
entered Scotland. Macbeth* thro' his cruelties,
having now none but a few mercenaries to ftand
by him, retreated to the caftle of Dunfinan, from
which, on the approach of Malcolm, he fled ; but
being
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being purfued, he was overtaken and killed by the
injured Macduff.
Thus fell Macbeth in the year 1056 ; according
to Buchanan, he was ten years a good king, ana
fc ven the worft of tyrants.
* Malcolm^ furnamed Canmore, /. e, njf f , \
Greathead, being thus, after a long j?j, 3
exile, «reftored to his country, was de- I0 57'
clared king; tho' not till Macbeth's fon Lulach,
whom a faSion had fct up in oppofition to him, was
defeated and flain. He began his reign with a&s of
gratitude j the emotions ofrtiuch, tho' a Aire indica-
tion of a noble and generous disposition, princes, in
general, feem to have fmothered. To Macduff, vrhot
had been fo greatly inftrumental towards his reftora^
tion, and to his pofterity, he gave the privilege of
crowning future kings, and the poft of honour in all
their royal armies. Malcolm next reinftated thofe
who had been deprived of their eftates by Macbeth. In
thefe and other liberal actions he was engaged, when
William the Conqueror having reduced England,
Edgar Articling, the laft male branch of the Saxon
line, giving up all hopes of fucceeding to the crown,
jn returning to Hungary, with his mother Agatha
and his fitters Margaret" and v Chriftiana, was, by
diilrefs of weather, driven into Scotland. Malcolm
treated them kindly, and becoming very foon ena-
moured with Margaret, he married her. William
having intelligence of the affair, and imagining that
it would raife factions in favour of Edgar, de-
manded that Malcolm fhould give him up, which
"being refufed, William in confequence declared
war with Scotland. After many battles with vari-
ous fuccefs, a peace was concluded between the two
kingdoms on the following terms ; "That Edgsyr
renounce all claim to the crown of England ; that
no English exiles fhould henceforth be admitted in-
to Scotland ; and that Malcolm fliould do homage
to William for part of his dominions ;"• feme his-
torians fay for all Scotland.
4 Peace
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20 New History of SCOTLAND.
Peace was fcarcely declared with England ere*
a. formidable band of robbers infefted the coun-
ties of Lothian and Merfe, who were at laft with
difficulty extirpated* Malcolm now enjoying per-
fect, tranquility, began a reformation in his court,
which was rather diffolute ; in this he Was af-
filed by Kis queen, a woman of the greateft pie-
ty, virtue, and accomplifhments. She was the
perfon who, 'tis faid, abolifiied a law, made by
Evenus, an imaginary king before Fergus, which
permitted the monarch to lie with a nobleman's
wife, and a nobleman with his vaflal's. A learn-
ed antiquary denies that fuch an infamous law
ever efcifted* and, his arguments are pretty conclu-
five. He defines this Marcheta Mulierum, as it
was called, to have be£n really a fine of fheep or
oxen payable to the queen on the marriage of every
^female fubjeft ; which it is therefore very likely that
Margaret might only lefleft. This affair, like the
introdu&ion of- the feudal .lay, will probably al-
ways be a controverted point. They both per-
haps came from , England ; and the feudal law,
which granted to the head of a clan implicit obe-
dience from a fet of yaflals who held lands under
him, was probably not introduced till this reign,
and after the Norman conqueft ; tho' many main-
tain that it was founded by Fergus. However, it is
certain, that Malcolm was the firft Who introduced
Englifh cuftoms, manners, language, and titles into
Scotland. He created Macduff earl of Fife, the firft
who received that dignity; he alfo created barons, and
gavethofe nobles, who ferved him in perfon or in
the ftate, their refpe&ive titles ; for before his time,
there were no other than knight and thane. Walter,
who according to report, was Banquo's grandfon,
and had quelled the rebelsin Lothian and Merfe, he
created his high fteward. And as furnames began now
to take place from the offices or lands which a man
enjoyed, Stewart became the name of his family,
which,
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New History of SCOTLAND. at
which, as it will appear in the fequel % came after-
wards to the thrones of both Scotland and England,
While Malcolm was thus employing himfelf,
William Rufus fucceeded his father the con~
<jueror. Growing jealous of Edgar, to whom his
Zither on the peace with Scotland, had granted
eftates in Normandy,* he began to diftrefs him 5 and
as Malcolm took part with his brother, it occafioned
a war. Malcolm, in confequence entered ^England,
and having made a confiderable booty, retired.
Rufus, to repair his lofs, determined to invade \
Scotland j and tho* he actually landed forces there,
yet before any battle enfued, Malcolm and he came
to an accomodation : " Edgar was to enjoy his
eftates ; and Malcolm, on receiving yearly twelve
gold marks, agreed to pay homage to Rufus for cer-
tain lands which, he held in England." As this
treaty was often difregarded by Rufus, Malcolm
went in perfon to him at Gloucefter, in order to
fettle it firmly. Ruftte is here faid to have refufed
feeing him, and to have demanded fuch extraordi-
nary homage, that Malcolm, enraged at the infult^
levied forces, and befieged the cattle of Northum-
berland ; in a fally from, which, on the 6th of June
1093, both he and his {on were flain, the former
according to Scotch hiftorians, by Mowbray, the
governor of the cattle, with a fpear, on which, in
token of fubmiffion, he tendered the keys ; the lat-
ter in revenging his father's murder.
Malcolm, who had reigned thirty-fix years, was
certainly a prince of great abilities, and tho' his
temper was naturally ferocious, it was greatly fof-
tened by the engaging one of his wife Margaret,
who furvived him but a few days. He had iffue fix
fons and two daughters ; Edward juft mentioned,
Edmund and Ethelred, who died in England, Edgar,
Alexander and David, who fucceeded to the crown ;
Matilda, or Maud, afterwards queen of England,
-and Mary countefs of Bosnia.
Tho'
*- *
a* Mew History of SCOTLAND.
.. . „ Tho* Malcolm had taken great
Donaldbane. pain8 to fcttle ^ Hneal fucCcffionjp
• • *°93« Donaldbane^ who during the reign of
his brother had kept himfelf in the ifles, now made
his appearance at the head of a ftrong party in fa-
vor of the old collateral fucceffion. The late king,
by his ftrong attachment to his brother-in-law
Edgar Atheling, and by fettling eftates on the exiles,
who followed his fortune, had greatly difobliged his
.nobility. Thefe and other unpopular circum-
ilances, joined to the minority of his furviving fons,
made it no very difficult matter for Donaldbane to
oppofe a law, not yet fo ancient as to be much re-
garded \ fo that it is very probable to imagine, that
he came to the crown without the aid of Magnus
the barefoot king of Norway ; tho' fome have af-
ferted that Magnus received the principality of the
ifles for his afliftance. Donald, however, was
crown'd at Scone ; and immediately he expelled the
ibreigners who were his brother's favorites; before
which Edgar Atheling having advice of Donald's
proceedings, had gotten his brother's children to
the Engliin court ; where there was likewife, one
Duncan, a natural fon, who had long ferved in
Rufus's army, and was very much in favor. Him
Rufus encouraged to difpoflefs Donald ; which,*
with the afliftance of Englifh troops, he accordingly
performed. After which he claimed the crown
himfelf, tho* the Scots thought that he was afling
in behalf of Malcolm's heir; but being then in no
condition to refufe him, they were obliged to com-
n Pty* Soon after, Malpedir, earl of
JJuncan. j^ earns> kiUed him> while he flept in
I0 95- t he caftle of Monteith, and then re-
stored his employer Donald.
Malcolm's fon, Edgar, being now of age, and
having by his uncle's intereft obtained a Sufficient
number of Englifh forces, entered Scotland at the
head of them. Force feemed needlefs j for the
4 Scot^
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New History of SCOTLAND. 23
Scots, during the ufurpations, had been fo greatly
harrafled, that they no fooner beheld their prince,
than they flocked to his ftandard ; and leaving
Donald defencelefs, he was taken and imprifoned
for life.
Edgar 1 thus, anno 1098, acceded « ,
to- the throne of his father : And, as A ~*£* n
his people feemed to wifh for peace, A ' Um io 9**
he therefore preferved it ; fo that nothing happened
in his reign more memorable than the marriage of
his lifter Matilda to Henry I. of England. Nor
are the affairs of the church in this century very
remarkable ; excepting that
Malcolm tanmore, in the begin- p
ning of his reign, founded the bi- ^ HURCH -
fhoprics of Murray and Caithnefs. The value of
the former was, at the reformation, in money
£. 1640. 7. 7. of the latter /. 1283. 19 ; befides
oatmeal, lheep, and poultry. The fame Icing is faid
to have laid the foundation of the cathedral at
Durham.
It may be obferved, that in this century, the
Scots were exceedingly well received in Germany ;
where 15 monafteries were founded, by a prince ~t)f
that nation, who had ferved in the wars of Char-
lemagne ; and all the abbots were natives of :
Scotland.
Mention is made in this century of three perfons
who rendered themfelves particularly famous in
Scotland, by their learning and piety. Turgot,
prior of Durham, and Veremudus, archdeacon of
Sti Andrew's ; they botk wrote chronicles of their
times, which are no where however now to be
found ; but the hiftory of Marianus Scotus, which
commenced from the creation, and ended at 1083
of the Chriftian aera, is ftill preferved.
Alexander* fucceedifcg Edgar, ren- *,„* ;*
dcred himfelf obnoxious to his nobi- «*'***" V**
lity, by the feverity of his behaviour iio 7*
towards
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34 New History of SCOTLAND.
towards them, and his indulgence to the clergy
This raifed a rebellion, which being with fomc
difficulty quelled, he then abated his rigor, and ap-
plied himfelf almoft wholly to religious matters 5 fo
that there is nothing in his reign more remarkable
than the introduction of filver coin 5 firft pennies,
and afterwards marks ^ but of what value they ww
according to tfye prefent calculation is unknown.
He died on the 8th of May, 1124 ; and having
n . , never been married, was fucceeded- by
AD 1 2A his brotlver Da ™d-, who, fhortly after
• • * I 4- hjs coronation, vifited his brother-in-
law Henry, whofe daughter, Maud, being by the
fudden death of her brother hejrefs to the crown,
David promifed Henry to maintain her right to it.
Henry dying foon after, he had occafion to perform
his engagement ; for the throne was immediately
ufurpedby Stephen, who likewife in a very haughty
manner ordered David to do him homage, for the
lands of Northumberland, Cumberland, and Hun- /
tingdon. David called him an ufurper, and ac- I
• quajnting him with his prorhife to Henry, he pre-
pared to aififtMaud ; who now, in 1139, had come
over from Germany, with her brother the earl of
Gloucefter, To mention the particulars of the
civil war which enfued, would be as tedious as un-
interefting. Suffice it therefore to fay, that no{-
withftandirig the- haughty and abfurd behavior of
Maud, nothing could {hake the fidelity of David;
who never left her, till he had put Stephen in her
power. Her unaccountable behavior in then re-
fufing the crown, led higj to confult the fafcty of
his own. He. therefore concluded an advantageous
peace with Stephen, who foon after adopted Maud's
ion Henry ( by the earl of Anjou ) as his heir.
Some fay that' Stephen intended that honor to Da-
vid's Ton Henry, who certainly, was in great favor
> with him, and refided many years in England. But
that excellent prince, who was adored by the Scots,
* " - - 4 died
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.1
New History of SCOTLAND. *$
died in 1150, four years prior to the death of Ste-
phen. David fickening at the lofs of his only fon f
(by Matilda, niece to William the Conqueror)
ended a fpjendid reign of 29 years, at Carlifle, on -
the 24th of May, 1153.
David, who left behind him the greateft cha-
racter for valor, and its ufual concomitant genera-
fity, was a prince of piety ; and he is confidered by ,
many to have compiled that fyftem of Scotch laws,
called Regium Majeftatem \ but the Englifh give
that work to their own judge Glanville.
On the death of David, his grand- tut 1 1 ^
fon Malcolm furnamed, from his vow ™^ 4™.
of celibacy, the maiden^ fucceeded ' ' ' "•
to the throne. In the beginning of his reign, So-
merled, the ambitious Thane of Argyle, put him-
felf at the head of a large army, confifting partly
of his own vaffals, and partly of lawlefs perfons,
driven to his ftandard by the love of plunder, or a
confcioufnefs of guilt, and began to ravage the
country. But the 'celebrated Gilchrift, earl of
Angus, being fent againft him, gave him a total
defeat, and obliged him to fly for refuge into Ire-
land, where he probably died ; for that he came
over again and renewed his depredations, as fome
report, is very much to be doubted. . Gilchrift*
after this, crufhed feveral lefs rebellions, and had
juft reftored peace in Scotland, when an extraordi-
nary meflage was fent to Malcolm, from Henry II.
of England. This monarch, who ufed to fay, that
. the whole world was but fufEcient for one great
man, defired that Malcolm would either give up
Northumberland, Cumberland, and Huntington, or
prepare to defend them. The Scotch nobility were
enraged at the infolence of the demand 5 but Mal-
colm, fond of peace and retirement, made a com^
pofition, and gave up the two former counties, on
condition that on doing homage he mould quietly
enjoy Huntington, His nobles, difgufted at this
C fubmiffion,
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afr Nbw : - History of SCOTLAND.
fubmiflion, obliged him to declare war againft
Henry 'for recovery of Northumberland and Cum- i
berland j but in a peace, which he very ibon con- '
eluded* he gave up all right and title to the for- j
mer ; and Henry ceding the latter to ( him as a^ *
fief of England, Malcolm then devoted himfelf j
wholly to his monks, amongft whom, in 1165, he
ended his days; for the alienation which he made |
of Northumberland, and a fcandalous pufillanimity, 1
apparent in every part of his conduit, rendered his I
perfon fend authority contemptible. j
«r#/» His brother William^ furnamed
. *r_tllwm. L ^ f ucceedillg himj inftantly de- |
A. u. 1105, manded? at the inftjgation of the
^iobles> the reftoration of Northumberland. Henry I
put him off from time to time, till William deter-
mined to recover it by force of arms. He accor-
dingly commenced a war ; but in the firft battle
(through an error in the divifion of his troops)
he was taken prifoner by a party of the enemy in
Scotch habits ; and immediately, in a very igno-
minious manner, hurried away to Richmond. Af-
ter which, he was conducted to Henry in France,
who committed him to the caftle of Falaife. Here
the captive-king, impatient under confinement, on
the promife of his own liberty, gave up that of his
country. For William was fcarcely returned to his
people, before Henry and his fon (whom to prevent
any difficulty in the fucceflion, he had made co-
partner in the government) ordered William and
his brothers and barons to attend them at York,
where the former did homage for ail Scotland ; and
the latter fwore fealty to Henry againft William
their king, if he fhould at any time refufe to ac-
knowledge himfelf a vaflal of England. What
could induce fuch a nobility as the Scotch (who on
lefs interefling circumftances had manifefted the
greateft refolution,) to ratify this fcandalous treaty
is really furprifing 5 efpecially as William qn his
return,
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New History of SCOTLAND. 27
return, pleaded that it was extorted by force.
Whatever was the reafon, it appears that Henry's
fucceflbr Richard, in confideration of 10,000 marks
of filver (a vaft fum however at that time) remit-
ted the homage for all Scotland ; and gave him pof-
feilion of Cumberland, Weftmoreland and Lan-
cafter, as a feodary of England, in the manner of
his anceftors. William, for this favour, affifted
him in a crufade, and baffled the defign of his bro-
ther John, who, during Richard's abfence, would
have ufurped the throne. Richard, in gratitude,
panned a charter, " That whenever the king of Scot-
land mould be fummoned to the court of England,
the bifhop of Durham and the Sheriff of Northum-
land mould receive him at the river Tweed, and *
attend him to the Teife ; that the archbifhop of
York and flieriff of Yorkmire, mould receive and
conduct him to the borders of that county, and fo
the bifhops of each dioccfe, with the fherifFs, mould
attend him from county to county, till he arrived
at the Englifh court. That from the time he en-
tered England, he mould receive from the king one
hundred millings per day for his expenses : when at
court, thirty in money ; twelve of the king's fine
loaves ; as many bifcuits of fine wheat j four gallons
of his befr. ana eight of his common wine j two
pounds both of pepper and cinnamon ; two cakes of
wax about twelve pounds each ; four wax candles,
forty long, and eighty common ones ; and that on
his quitting the kingdom, he (hould be re-conduc-
ted by the bifhops and fheriffs, with the fame al-
lowance of an hundred millings per day." This
grant, which bears date the 12th of April 1194,
freed the Scots from a great expence, as well as from
that difgraceful part of feudal fubmiffion, attending
the court of England on the moft trifling occafions.
Upon the death of Richard, William renewed his
homage for his Englifh lands to his fucceflbr John-
He alfo made a faint effort to recover Northumber-
C 2 land,
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28 New *Hjstoky of SCOTLAND.
land, which Richard, notwithstanding his great re-
gard, had ftill kepthimfelf; but it never afterwards
was conftdered as part of Scotland.
John had built a fort at Berwick, with whjch Wil-
liam was diflatisfied ; and the former, who was riot on
very good terms with his people, was glad of any pre-
text to keep his army in motion. He therefore quar-
relled with William concerning this fort, and marched
to the confines of Scotland, where William had
prepared for his reception. Here both kings, who
in many particulars were much alike, concluded a
treaty without bloodshed : John received nooo
marks of filver, demolished the fort, and promifinff
that it fhould not be rebuilt, marched his army tack
again. This action, except quelling an insurrec-
tion, which had been raifed in Caithnefs by one
Godred, was the laft that William performed, who
continuing a faithful ally to John, died after a few
years of uninterrupted but fhameful tranquillity in
the 74th year of his age. He appears throughout his
very long reign of forty-nine years, to have been
weak and irrefolute : the brighteft fide of his cha-
racter was the facrificing his own honour and gran-
deur to his peoples eafe and happinefs. By his wife
Ermengarda he had a fon, Alexander his fucceflbr,
and two daughters, Margery who was married to the
famous Hubert de Burgh ; and Ifabel, (whom
Henry 3d. would have married himfelf had his
peers been willing) to the earl marfhal of England.
In refpe£t to ecclefiaftical affairs
Church, during this century, it appears that
Alexander the ill founded the ab-
bies of Scpne and St. Columba, and was befides a
jjreat benefactor to the fee of St. Andrews. His
iucceflbr David, befides founding the abbies of Jed^
burgh, Kelfoe, Melrofe, Newbottle, Holyrood-
houfe, and Kinlofle, erected, in 11 37* the biihop-
rick of Rofs, valued at ^.1653. 16. 9.; in 1130,
Dunkeld, valued at £.1505. 10. 4. j in 114c, Bre-
chin
4
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New History of SCOTlSkNl£ ^9
chin valued at £.410. 4. o. ; and' in 1142, Dum-
blairi, valued at £.313/ In the year 117^ it Was
propofed to the Scots to elecY'the archbifhop of
York for their metropolitan, which event was pre-
vented rroro taking place, chiefly through the fpi-
ri ted behaviour of a young canon, named Gilbert,
for which fervice he was afterwards promoted to the
bifhoprick of Caithnefs. King William was alfo
a gr^at friend to the clergy ; among other benefac-
tions, he founded to the memory of Thomas-a-
B^cket; the abby of Aberbrothwick ; and af-
terwards he erected another at Lindores. This
king wad fo much iri favour with pope Innocent
the 3d. that he Tent him a rich fword, a purple hat
in form of a diadem, with a large bull of privileges,
in which it was declared, that no one fliould have
power to excommunicate him or his fucceflbrs, or
?ret to interdict the kingdom, but the pope or his
egate ; and further, that no ftranger fhould exercife
any fuch legation within the realm, except a car-
dinal, or a perfon whom the conclave fhould ap-
point.
Alexander was but fixteen years 41 , ,
of age when he came to the crown 5 f e ™ naer 2CU
but he behaved with fuch fenfe and A ' Um l21 **
fpirit that many Englifh barons put themfelves un-,
<ier his protection, againft the tyranny of John of
England, who was fo exafperated at this behaviour,
that he invaded and ravaged many parts of Scot-
land. The young king now met John near the
river Efl", on which John retreated, and flopped a
quick purfuit by fetting fire to towns as he quitted
them. Alexander, by thefe means, not being able to
overtake him, returned from Richmond thro* Weft-
moreland.
On John's return to London, the Englifh, unable
to bear his tyranny, had invited over Lewis, fon
to the king of France. Lewis accordingly came
pver, and on his arrival in London, the barons and
C 3 citizens'
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30 New History of SCOTLAND,
citizens took the oath of allegiance to him* Tho'
this prince was never crowned king of England, he
a&ed in every thing as fovereign ; and accordingly
Alexander, purfuant to his fummons, did homage
to him for what lands he held of that crown. The
friendfhip which had always fubfifted between the
courts of France and Scotland, made Alexander
moft heartily efpoufe the caufe of Lewis. He there-
fore made head againft John, who with a pack of
mercenaries was ravaging Carlifle and Northum-
berland. He difpofleffed him of thefe places in right
of Lewis, whofe affairs however, very foon declin-
ing, owing to the pope's fentence of excommuni-
cation againft his adherents, Alexander withdrew
his affiftance. Lewis was foon obliged intirely to quit
the kingdom, on Henry the 3d. John's fon being""
crowned king, between whom and Alexander there
feems to have been perfect peace; the Scotch
monarch in order to eftablifh it, having in 122 1
married his eldeft lifter Joan.
Whilft he thus lived on good terms with England,
one Gillefpy took arms at the head of a number of
lawlefs free-booters, and committed the moft terri-
ble ravages in Murray and places adjacent. He
confumed the town of Invernefs to afhes, and
Slaughtered the inhabitants with great cruelty. He
was at laft fubdued, and himfelf and two of his fons
being taken, they were beheaded. Another infur-
re&ion was foon after raifed by the baftard fon of
the laird of Galloway, who had left his lands to
his three daughters. When Alexander prepared to
chaftifehim, being almoft deferted by his followers,
he threw himfelf at his f^et 9 and the king, after
having righted his fifters, generoufly pardoned him.
In 1235, Scotland being at reft after her inteftine
difturbances, which are frequently the moft fatal tc*
a kingdom, Alexander and his queen paid a viftt to
their brother Henry, on account, as fome fay, of
the difgrace of Hubert de Burgh, who was likewife
his
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Ws brother-in-Ja>w. During his, ftay at court,, a
difpute feems to have bappened concerning ,Norr
thumberland, the right to which hao\ by former
kings been fo often difputed. It was at J aft fettled
that Henry fhould aljow yearly eighty marks in lieu
of it. On the return of Alexander to his own
court, having loft his wife whilft in England, and
having had no iffueby her, he was advifed to marry
the daughter of Eugelram de Cufley, a powerful
French nobleman, which he accordingly did. And -
ibme hiftorians report, that this' marriage was the
ground of a quarrel which afterwards happened
with England j tho' others maintain that "it arofe
.from a demand made on Alexander by Henry to do
him homage for his kingdom, as William had dome
^to his predeceflbr. Whatever was the occafion^ of
the quarrel, it fubfided without much bloodfhed ;
and in 1241, it was agreed that Alexander's infant
Ion mould marry the daughter of Henry. Scotland
being again at peace, a party of volunteers went to
the aififtance of Lewis of France, who was engaged
in a crufade againft the infidels, from which fcarce-
ly one of them returned. Soon after this cir-
cumftance, Alexander formed a defign of fub-
duinjr the Ebrides ; and it is faid, made great pre-
parations to that end, in the midft of which, he
was feized by a fever, and died much lamented in
the 51ft year of his age, and the thirty-fifth of his
glorious reign. He was certainly a fpirited and '
wealthy prince, was the firft who bore the lyon for
bis arms, and appears by his juftice, piety, addrefs,
and good-nature, to have been greatly beloved, not
only by his own fubje&s, but by thofe of England*
He left no iflue befide Alexander ^ A1 , ,
who fucceeded him in the $th year / £ ^, .
of his age, and was crowned at Scone * * *9 #
on the 15th of Auguft in great pomp. In the firft
years of this young; king's reign, the. factious and
powerful family of Cumins created much uneafinefs.
,;. C 4 through-
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32 New History of SCOTLAND*
throughout the realm, carrying a high hand over the
reft of the nobility and gentry. To check their pro-
ceedings, it was deemed necefiary to haften the
king's marriage ; he therefore in 1252, with a grand
retinue, fet out for that purpofe ; and being met at
York by the king and queen of England, the nup-
tials were there folemnized, on chriftmas-day, in
the prefence of a number of nobility and clergy.
Henry, here would fain have received, horn age for
all the Scotch dominions, but the young king was
Sufficiently on his guard, replying to Henry's de-
mand, that marriage was the only bufinefs which
%e then came to execute, nor could he rranfact. any
'other without the concurrence of his nobility. Henry.
*^on this anfwer, declared that he had no thoughts to
iap the independency of Scotland ; Alexander chofe
him for hb guardian and then returned to his king-
dom. The clan of the Cumins, now rumoured
about that Alexander, by making himfelf the ward
of Henry, endangered the liberties of his country ;
on which pretext, it is faid, they confined the
young couple in Edinburgh caftle ; and, befide
•treating them otherways cruelly, debarred them
from each others embraces. The queen however,
had the addrefs to acquaint her father of thefe pro-
ceedings^ who immediately came into Scotland,
and ufoig great circumfpection and judgment, re-
stored them to their dignity. Their jailors fubmit-
ting to be fined for their behaviour, Henry left the
Scots perfectly fatisfied with the rectitude of his
actions, and returned to England, leaving Alex-
ander now at age to manage his fubjects himfelf.
The king foon gained, by his juftice and modera-
tion, the entire confidence 6f his people j but 3
itorm was now gathering, which had almoft wrecked
the liberty of the whole kingdom.
Malcolm Canmore's brother, Donaldbane, on the
ufurpation of Macbeth, had taken refuge in the Ebridcs
orWeftern Ifles, which were then, and had ever fince
~ - been,
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New History of SCOTLAND. 33
been, in the pofleflion of the king of Norway. Theft
Ebrides, it has been obferved, Alexander the 2d. in-
tended, had he lived, to have annexed to his domi-
nions. The recollection of this circumftance, joined
to the tender age of his fucceiibr, feems tohavefug-
gefted to Haco, king of Norway, a defign no lefs bold
than the invaiion of Scotland. As a pretext, he told
Alexander, that Donald bane had promifed his pre-
deceftbr Magnus, in token of gratification for his
protection and fervices, that Bute and Arran fhould
be corifidered as part of the Ebrides. Haco tnere-
fore defired that they might be immediately given
up to him; but on a refufal, having every thing
•ready for his intended invafion, he came over, on
the iftof Auguft 1263, with a fleet of one hundred
and lixty fail of fhips. Alexander, in the greateft
consternation at this unexpected attack, fent re-
moftrances to Haco, who having landed his troops,
and fubdued Arran and Bute, and taken the town,
of Air, would hear no offers of peace. Alexander^
in the mean time, having raifed a fmall army, met
the Norwegians at a place called Larges, In the
caufe of liberty, how ftrong and brave are a few 1
for in the battle which enfued, the lines of the in-
vaders were broken, and a moft horrible carnage
enfued : 20,000 of the enemy are reported to have
been (lain on the fpot ; fuch of them as efcaped to
their fhips, were wrecked the day following ; and
Haco, who in a little veffel, had got to the Ork-
neys, died there of grief, at his disappointed ambir
tion. Magnus, Haco's fon, finding that in confe-
quence of this defeat, many of the riles had fur-
rendered to Alexander, fent over offers of treaty.
And it was fhortly after agreed, that all the Ebrides^
and the Ifle of Man, mould be,, in future, the fol*
right of the Kings of Scotland; and that their re-
fpective inhabitants fhould enjoy their privileges the
fame as when fubject. to Norway, any of whom
were, if they thought fit,, at liberty to depart with
C 5 their
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34 New History of SCOTLAND. ,
their effects, unmolefted. Alexander, in confideratioA
of thefe iflands, agreed to pay Magnus annually orte
hundred filver marks ; and according to fome, gav|
him directly one thoufand. Perfectly to conciliate
the parties, a marriage was fome time after concluded
on between Margaret, Alexander's daughter, and Eric,
fon and heir to Magnus, and they were according^
married by proxy at Roxburgh, on the 15th of J$ly/
1281. Thus happily for Scotland terminated alfclfo
vafion, which at hrfi wore fo unpromifing an af£efi.
Every thing being fecure in the realm, Alexr
ander with his queen paid a vifit to his father
Henry 5 and at his court, at Woodftock, Margaret
Was delivered of a fon. Alexander, during his ftay
with Henry, conftantly received his five pounds
per day, and confidered it, not as his father's bolin- .
ty, but as his own right. On his return to Scot-
land, he aflifted king Henry with 5000 men againft
his rebellious bafons. He likewife, in 1270, out
of affection to Lewis of France, augmented the
Scotch guard about his perfon, from twenty
men, which had continued a cuftom from the year
883, to one hundred ; and at this time, it was faid,
that the Scots were faithful to a proverb : the name
of this guard is not yet intirely abolifhed in France.
Two years after this died Alexander's friend and fa-
ther Henry, to whofe fucceflbr, Edward, Alexan-
der proved a good ally. In 1278, he attended at
Weftminfter, as the firft peer of England, and was
thanked by Edward for his great fervices. And in
fwearing fealty to him for the lands which he held
in England, Alexander having before taken notice
of an ambiguous expreffion, which the bifliop of
Norwich had fuggefted to Edward, declared aloud,
*< None but God hath right to the homage of my
kingdom."
Alexander's queen and ^children being all dead,
he was advifed, in order to prevent difficulties in
the fucceffion* to marry again, and therefore efpoufed
*%*j Jolet,
-• ■
New Histor* or SCOTLAND- 35
' Jolet, the daughter of the earl of Dreux j but be-
fore flie brought anyifiue, as he was hunting in the
founty of Fife, his horfe took fright, ruflied down
a precipice, called the Black Rock, and killed him
xm the fpot. This melancholy fate bsfel him on
/the 19th of March 1285, in the 45th year of his
L ^age, and the 37th of his reign.
4 -*Thrs excellent prince left many proofs of his
<J *OTClt wifdom, valour, and juftice. He* limited
the equipages of his nobility, and gained Scotland
.the firtt name of a trading country. And his Tub-
jedte, who, it is faid, were now mare civilized than
cither the Englifh or French, from perftmal affec-
tion, as well as from the bad confequences which
they faw would arife by this chafm in the fuccefliort,
lamented his untimely death. His death is Indeed
a fatal sera in Scotch annals. For Edward of Eng-
land, feems even in the life-time of Alexander, to
have formed defigns prejudicial to the liberties of
Scotland. The cunning, which he was matter of,
prevented him, however, from giving much caufe
of fufpicion. During the difputes, which now
fucceeded, he imagined, that her. independency
might the more eaiily fall a prey; and the hot-
headed chiefs, who, in a few years, were eagerly
fcrambling for the crown, gave Edward, perhaps,
a better opportunity to carry his point than he, in
his moft fanguine expectations, had furrnifed,
Some Scotch hiftorians have confidered the dif-
putes, concerning the fucceflion, as beginning im-
mediately on Alexander's death ; but it feems to be
pretty certain that Margaret y the ,,
young princefs of Norway, who was \ vP^q
Alexander's grand - daughter, was ' ' *2°5-
unjverfally deemed his fucceffor, tho' a mere infant*
Six agents were chofen to aft during her minority*
all Scotchmen, which exceedingly mortified Ed-
ward ; who expefled, as he was grand-uncle to
the queen, to have been made her guardian. How-
• ever,
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36 New History of SCOTLAND,
ever, as he found the Scots extremely jealous
of their independency, and as he was bent on hav-
ing power over them; he fecretly concluded with
Eric, the father of Margaret, a treaty of marriage,
between her and his fon, the prince of Wales, tfio*
they were both fo^very young.
This was the firft fcheme for uniting the two
kingdoms, probably it might have been happy, had
it taken place; for the itates of Scotland, ^fter
hearing of the treaty of marriage, agreed to it^ (un-
der articles, however, which were highly to the
honor of that kingdom) and the young, queen was
fent for over. The regents, and the prin- '
1290. cipal nobility, went to the Orkneys, in
^brder to receive and conduit her to the
throne.
But Margaret, who was of a very delicate confti-
tution, and then but feven years old, unable to beir
the fatigue of a very tempeftuous voyage, expired
in her paiiage. This circumftance, which filled
the Scots with infinite confternation and grief, was
highly agreeable to Edward. That monarch, who
In the intended marriage, - feemed to have had the
probability of her early death in view, now that it
really happened, took his meafures accordingly.
His conduct, as will appear in the fequel, gave
birth to fuch fierce wars between the two kingdoms,
as had nearly been the deftrudtion of both.
Th J t Edward no fooner received advice
- " of the young queen's death, and that
regnum. « n con f e q Uence f j t there were many
• .I29i« com p e titors for the vacant throne,
than he prepared for a journey into Scotland, in
order to prove, as he faid, that that kingdom was a
fief of his own. But before he could fet out, the
debates in the Scotch parliament concerning the
right to fucceffion, from the importance of the fub-
jecl and the intricacy of titles, ran fo high, that
archbifhop Frafer, in order to prevent the fwojcd a&
ufuat
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.Nfiw History of SCOTLAND. 37
ufual in fuch cafes from being finally appeaPd to^
made a motion to the nobility, that the king of
England fhould be chofen their arbitrator. This
motion being relifhed by the claimants, and pretty
generally approved by others, Frafer was accor-^
dingly fent, with other ieputies, to invite him.
Edward, on their arrival, tho' overjoyed at a requeft
which gave fo good an handle to his defign, dif-
fembled however his fatisfa&ion : He coldly gave
his confent, and defired to be met at Norham, by
the Scotch nobility, in May. On the tenth of that
month he convened them in the parifh church, and
then by the mouth of his justiciary Roger de Bra-
ban^on, declared, that as he did not doubt but that
they had defired him for their arbiter under a fenfe
of his being the lord of their kingdom* he there-
fore required them, by way of form, to acknow-
ledge him as fuch, before he proceeded to the cog-
nizance of their affairs. The Scots, aftoniflied at
this extraordinary infinuation and demand, replied,
that they had never thought of fuch a conceilion j
and Edward, after expreffing a feigned furprize at
their demur, and vowing that at all hazards he
would maintain his right, granted them three weeks
confideration. During this interval, Edward was
tampering with the candidates ; and in order to
heighten his own importance, he encouraged more
to offer themfelves ; fo that before the three weeks
were expired they amounted to the following twelve.
Patric earl of March, Florence earl of Holland, Wil-
liam de Vefey, Nicholas de Soules, Patric Golightly,
William de Rofs, Roger de Mandeville, Robert de
Pinkney, John Haftings, John Cumin, John de
Baliol, and Robert de Bruce. All thefe, who were
the moft powerful families in Scotland, being now
as it were dependent on his will, would not at-
tempt, he rightly imagined, to thwart his defign.
Accordingly when the ftates met him in June, he
ordered lus chancellor to read over what he called
. unde-
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g8 New History of SCOTLAND.
undeniable proofs of his right to the fovereignty of
Scotland. Thefe were in fact mere fables, and
monkifh forgeries ; however, as foon as the chan-
cellor had ended, he, without waiting for the Scots
reply, addrefled himfelf to the competitors, and firft
afked Robert de Bruce, whether he would have
juftice done him from the king of England, as liege
Jord of Scotland ? Bruce anfwering in the affirma-
tive, the reft on being queftioned in the fame man-
ner, followed his example ; after which Edward
himfelf declared, that notwithftanding his office of
arbitrator, he referved the liberty of making his own-
claim, and to profecute it when and how he pleafed.
Tho' there is no qiieftion but that thefe acknow-
ledgments were very difegreeable to the bulk of the
Scots ; yet, either intimidated by his threats, or ca-
joled by his promifes, all who were prefent fwore
implicit fealty to him ; infifting however, that the
difpute relative to the fucceffion, mould be termi-
nated in their own kingdom ; to which Edward
agreed, tho* at the fame time he declared, that they
muft not confider it as a precedent. Berwick was
then appointed the place of d^cifion ; and on the
ad day of Auguft the competitors were to urge
their claims. In the mean time, as Edward faid,
that as in quality of umpire he ought to have the
power of executing his fentence, he defired there-
fore that the kingdom might be made over to him*
that he might be able to give it to him, whofe right
k might in future appear to be.
In whatever light the barons faw this demand, it
is certain that they aJTented to it ^ for Gilbert de
Umfraville, earl of Angus, was the only man who re-
fufed to give up the forts in his pofleffion, till he was
over-ruled by the impatient ambition of the competi-
tors. Thefe on the day appointed made their appear-
ance, but the claims of Ten being found defective,
the conteft lay wholly betwixt Bruce and Baliol.
Bruce was the (on of Iubel>/fecond daughter toDavid
- . earl
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New History of SCOTLAND. 39
earl of Huntington* who was third fon of king David
the ift ; and fialiol was the grandfon of Margaret
the eldeft daughter. The former added in fupport
of his claims, that Alexander the 3d had declared,
that he fhould fucceed him, which he offered to
prove from feveral who had heard the promife. King
Edward having attended to the arguments on both
fides; and being unwilling, as he faid, to proceed
rafhly in an affair of fuch moment, difmiffed the
competitors till the 2d of June following ; when,
after having taken the beft advice, and maturely
confidered the fubje&, on that day he told them the
fucceffion fhould be finally fettled. Againft this
day forty council were retained by Bruce, the fame
number by Baliol, and twenty-four by king Ed-
ward, to fettle his judgment.
This long recefs, notwithftanding the ferious
pretences of Edward, is ufually attributed to his de-
fire of being able, in the intermediate fpace of time,
thoroughly to found each claimant, and accordingly
to chufe him, who being found the molt humble
and flavifh, would beft fuit his ungenerous inten-
tions. His mother dying about this time, he chofe
to attend her funeral ; but leaving agents to' Tift
Baliol and Bruce, he returned thro' Suffolk and
Norfolk by the time appointed. Eric, king of
Norway, had now, it is thought by the inftigation
of Edward, put in a claim, in right of his daughter
the late queen ; this caufed a prolongation till the
19th of November. Every thing was now fettled
previous to the conclufion of this important caufe. ■
The ftates had agreed, that the laws and cuftoms
of England fhould be ftri£Hy attended to. John
HaftingS) one of the difappointed competitors for
the crown, attempted to prove, that Scotland was
a divifible fief, and, as fuch, claimed a third of it ;
but the kingdom was declared indivifible.
The day being arrived, Baliol, as being the grand-
ion of an eldeft daughter, was, by the laws of bo^h
nations,
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40 New History of SCOTLAND.
nations, determined to have a jufter right than
Bruce, who was the fon of a fecond daughter ; and
all the other claimants being nonfuited, Edward re-
ferving the profecution of his own right to be tried
by him or his fucceffors whenever they thought fit,
declared Baliol king of Scotland ; and immediately
addreifing himfelf to him, faid, 44 You will now do
44 well to behave yourfelf in fuch a manner as not
44 to incur my difpleafure, or oblige me to interfere
44 between you and your people." The next day
the kingdom being given to him, he fwore the fol-
lowing oath of fealty : " I, John de Baliol^ do, by
44 thefe prefents, promife truly and faithfully to
«« ferve our lord Edward, by the grace of God king
44 of England, and fuperior lord of the kingdom
44 of Scotland, with life and limb, and true honor,
44 againft all men, for the kingdom of Scotland ;
44 fo help me God* and his holy aporlles." On
the 30th he was crowned at Scone, and received
the homage of all his nobility, except Bruce,
who had abfented himfelf. This being performed,
. Edward ordered tlie new king to follow him to
Newcaftle-on-Tyne, there to do him further ho-
mage 5 which the abject Baliol thus performed.
44 My lord Edward, king of England, fuperior
44 lord of'the kingdom of Scotland, I being your
44 liegeman for the whole kingdom of Scotland,
44 with its appurtenances, which kingdom I claim
44 and hold, and of right ought to hold, for me
44 and my heirs kings of Scotland, hereditarily of
44 you and your heirs kings of England, and fhall
44 bear faith to you and your heirs kings of Eng-
44 land, of life and limb, and terrene honor, againft
44 all men that may live and die." This homage be-
ing attefted by fixteen biiiiops, and the principal
nobility of both kingdoms, Edward returned home
exulting, and Baliol fneaked back to his territories.
«v , Baliol had been returned from per-
A. D 1 202. fonaiifl 6 kk toniage fcarcelyaweek,
' y m before
■v.
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New History of SCOTLAND. 41
before the king of England had an opportunity to
afiert his fupremacy. For one Mafon, a Gafcon
merchant, appealing to Edward for fatisfa&ion for
a debt contracted by Alexander 3d, which Baliol
had refufed to pay, (and perhaps with reafon) the
new king had a fumtnons fent him to appear in
perfon at Weftminfter. This was followed by an-
other fummons on the part of Macduff, earl of Fife;
whofe eftate having been fequefter'd by the former
regency, Baliol refufed to refign. John appearing
at Weftminfter, in confequence of Edward's fum-
mons, and having taken his feat in parliament! as
firft peer of England, expoftulated with Edward
concerning the redKtude of his proceedings, in
citing him to appear in England to anfwer to mat-
ters which only concerned Scotland ; and Baliol
appealed to his promifes. Edward. infifted on his
right to judge of whatever affairs concerned Scot-
land ; adding, with a guft of paflion, that their king
fhould appear before him as often as he faw fit.
His promifes, he declared, were made to ferve Scot-
land ; but fince their king had proved thus ungrate-
ful, he would make him renounce every one of
them, of what kind foever j and this abolition,
Baliol, who was terrified at his menaces, was o-
bliged to perform. The plaintiffs then' preferred
their caufes ; and Baliol, as defendant, would have
anfwered by proxy ; but this indulgence was denied
him ; and the vaffal king was obliged to appear at
the bar as a private perfon. Baliol, abject as he
was, could not however brook an affront like this.
He declared that he muft confult his fubje&s,
before he would anfwer to the earl of Fife's
charge. This behavior was judged a contempt of
the court ; and Edward declaring that he would
feize Berwick, Roxburgh, and Jedburgh, till Baliol
mould come to a fenfe of his duty ; that weak
king^ who had only made a flafh of refolution, inv-
mediately acknowledged Edward's fovereignty, and
mofl
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42 New History of SCOTLAND.
mod humbly begged his leave to confult the Scot-
tifh parliament. This requeft, at Macduff's in-
fiance, was granted ; and Baliol, after having pro-
mifed to appear on a day appointed, was permitted
to retire. Greatly chagrined at this mortifying
treatment he returned to his people, who, tho' they
defpis'd his perfon, gave ear to a propofal which
he made, of refigning his power to twelve of them,
who lhould confult together on means for fhaking
off their flavifh dependence. They confidered Ed-
ward's rupture with France as a very favorable
juncture. The twelve regents therefore renewed
the ancient league offenfive and defenfive with that
kingdom, and concluded a treaty of alliance be-
tween BalioPs fon, Edward, and king Philip's niece.
Thefe negociations were not, however, carried on
fo privately, but Edward gained intelligence of
them ; which, at fo critical a time, gave him much
difpleafure.
To be certain as to the truth of Baliol's tranf-
a&ions, or rather thofe of his regents, he ordered
him to appear ; but he was anfwered by the Scots,
that the pope having abfolved their king from his
allegiance and fealty, he was no longer to exped
his homage. This meffage was delivered to him
by the bold abbot of Aberbrothwick. On which
Edward exclaimed, " How foolifhly does this ftu-
pid fon of mine behave ! well, if he will not come
to us, we will 'go to him" ; and fending his ne*
phew againft the French, he prepared to be as good
, as his word. Before he proceeded to hof*
1290. tjiitje^ jj e ma de an offer of the crown to
Robert Bruce, the fon of Baliol's rival, and the
father of 1 his heroic fucceffor. This offer, Brace,
who was rriuch in favour with Edward, thankfully
accepted ; and in confequence of it, gained over a
ftrong party to the intereft of Edward, who having
thus gotten what he aimed at in the propofal, began
his march. Berwick, a very ftrong fortrefe, was
his
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New History of SCOTLAND. 43
bis firft and greatcft impediment. That garrifon,
apprifed of Edward's intentions, had deftroyed 18
of his {hips, which fo enraged him, that, as he had
little if any generofity in his temper, he vowed
bitter revenge. He advanced before the town with
an army of 40,000 men ; but was received fo warm-
ly, that, to execute his purpofe, and fave the time
and expence of a regular fiege, he had recourfe to
itratagem. He ordered fome of Bruce's men to re-
port that he would foon retire j and accordingly, in
a few days, having made a {hew of raififcg the fiege,
a ftrong party of his troops, habited like Scotch-
men, approached their walls. The garrifon had re-*
ceived advice .that Baliol was marching to their af-
fiftance 5 and imagining this body of troops to be a
detachment from that army, they opened their gates
to receive them. The credulous Scots found their
miftake too late ; for the Englifh being in pofleifion
of their gates, now poured in upon them, andmaf-
facred without refpedt to perfon, age, or fex, 7000 }
fome fay, double thatnumber was flaughtered ; Ed-
ward then drew a deep ditch round the town, which,
from that time, became part of England.
Propofing next to befiege Dunbar, he marched for*
ward for that purpofe j but Baliol, at the head of a
large army, impeded his defign. Edward beheld
his approach with pleafure. He imagined, that to
defeat this army, would be, in effect, to conquer
all Scotland, which was the great object of his
ruinous ambition. With the moft paffionate defire,
therefore, he haftened toconqueft, and hefucceeded ;
for in the battle the Scots were routed, with the loft
of 10,000 men. On this defeat, Dunbar, Jedburgh,
and Roxburg, immediately furrendered 5 as did aJfo
Edinburg, on Edward's approach with a reinforce-
ment of 40,000 men from Wales and Ireland. Ed-
ward was now almoft totally matter of Scotland,
which fo terrified Baliol, that he fent agents with
offers of any, the moft abject, fubmiffion to obtain
• - Edward's
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4+ New History or SCOTLAND.
Edward's forgivenefs. Abjection herfelf woul<f
have ftarted at the terms impofed by Edward, to
which Baliol, however, agreed. Accordingly, in
the prefence of many nobility and clergy of both
kingdoms, he was ufhered into a church-yard at
Montrofe, mounted upon the moftfcurvy horfe that
could be procured, and by way of fpear, he was
equipped with a white wand. Thus accoutred, he
appeared before king Edward, who received him
^vith ineffable contempt. In the moft doleful ftrains
the pageantffconarch then ftript himfelf of his crown
and kingdom, abjured the league with France, and
confeffing the utmoft forrow that he had ever of-
fended his liege lord, moft humbly implored his
clemency. After this ceremony had been performed
in feveral other places, the infenfible Baliol was
fent under a guard to England, and there confined.
The nobility, (except William Douglafs', who
would not acknowledge Edward, and on that ac-
count died in jail,) now renewing their fealty,
Bruce put Edward in mind of his promife ; but the
king fternly replying, « Have we nothing to <fc '
but to win kingdoms for thee ?" Brucf, who knew ,
the king's temper too well to contend, retired to his
eftate. Edward had now completed his defign ; arid,
having inftituted Warren, earl of Surrey and Suflex,
his lieutenant, in the kingdom ; Hugh de Creffing*!
ham his treafurer; and William Ormefbyhis jufti-
ciary, returned joyfully to England j taking along
with him, the crown and regalia, and a marble
chair, in which the kings were always crowned at
Scone ; and which the vulgar Scots believed to have
been the pillow of Jacob, when he flept at Padan-*
Aram, as well as the palladium of their liberty.
His cunning thus took advantage of their credulity^
for the taking of this ftone, which is ftill in Welt-
minfter-abby, greatly refigned them to what thkf
thought their fate ; and he took care, befides, to)
deftroy, with the moft barbarous policy, every va-
. luable
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New History of SCOTLAND. 45
1 uable record in the kingdom, in which the hiftory
and antiquities of Scotland had, till that period,
been carefully preferved.
Edward's regents now acted with
fuch prudence in behalf of their matter, The id Inter-
that liberty feemed juft about taking regnum.
her laft farewel of a people, who
formerly had been fo dear a votary to her ; when
Sir William Wallace, a patriotic hero, equal to any
that antiquity can produce, flood forth, and revived
by his bold example, the drooping fpirits of his
countrymen. His resolution of lofing the laft drop
of his blood in defence of Scotland's independency*
connected with fome exploits, which he, who was a
man of gigantic ftature and amazing ftrength, had al-
moft fingly performed, was not long made public be-
fore he was joined by Malcolm, earl of Lenox, lord
William Douglafs, governor of Berwick, fir Joha
Graham, fir Neil Campbel, fir Chriftopher Seton,*
fir John Ramfay, fir Fergus Barclay, Andrew
Murray, Adam Gordon, Robert Keith, Robert
Boyd, William Oliphant, Hugh Hay, Simon and
Alexander Frafer, Rainold, Hugh and , William
Crawford, Adam Wallace, John Johnftone, Roger
Kilpatric, Robert Lauder,. Alexander Auchinleck,
Richard Lundie, William Ker, Robert Ruther-
ford, Edward Little, Arthur BifTet, James and Ro-
bert Lindfay, Thomas Haliday, John Tinto, John
Cleland, Jordan Barde, Hugh Dundafs, Thomas
Gray, Stephen Ireland, John Scot, John Blair,
James Balfour, Adam Currie, William Ballandine,
William Robertfon, Scrimzor, Ruthven, Guthrie,
and others, with their friends and dependants.
This brave compact, under the command of Wal-
lace, foon began to diftinguifh itfelf. The king's
regents were routed ; Ormefby, who had ruled with
the greateft feverity, narrowly efcap^d with his life.
The caftles of Dundee, Forfar, Brechin, and
Montrofe, were recovered, and Wallace, at the
* . nea 4
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46 New History of SCOTLAND.
heatl of his forces, entered Aberdeen juft as the
Englifh had (ct it on fire. The fame of his ex-,
ploits had now reached Edward in France, where,
jiot expecting a thing of this nature, he had car-
ried his whole force. He ordered his lieutenant
Warren, who being infirm, deputed the young
lord Piercy, to march againft thefe fworn foes to
flavery. Wallace's army was now en-
1297. camped at Sterling, confiderably aug-
mented, and increafing daily. To attack
it, the Englifh were obliged to crofs the Forth, by
a wooden bridge, which, when half the army had
parted, gave way, fome fay as Wallace had con-
trived, but rather being naturally unable to fuftain
fo great a weight. Wallace fell upon fuch as had
paffed the bridge, and thofe who efcaped the fword,
were drowned in the river, while the party on the
other fide, were almoft as totally deftroyed by the
carl of Lenox. This memorable defeat was on the
15th of September; after which, the Scots forces,
by plundering the Englifh, diflipated their fears of
a famine, that, by a neglect of agriculture, feemed
to be haftily approaching. During thefe excurfions
for food, Tome Englifh writers have reprefented
Wallace as guilty of the greateft inhumanity and
excefs ; but their efforts have yet been too impotent
to tarnifh the character of a man who pofTeired all
the virtues of heroifm. The ftates of Scotland, for
his great fervices, had now chofen him their protec-
tor ; while Edward, returned from France, who was
fleeced by that nation, in his hurry to fubdue the
Scots. Edward had ftill but too powerful a party
in Scotland ; for Bruce confidered Wallace as an am-
bitious upftart ; and as his glorious actions reproached
his own fupinenefs, without being the hearty friend
of Edward, he became the protector's mortal enemy.
This nobleman had hitherto remained neuter*
but being obliged on Edward's arrival in England
to declare either for him or his country, be made
5 choice
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New History of SCOTLAND. 47
choice of the former. Bruce, probably, was infti-
gated to fide with Edward by ambition. He might
imagine that Edward would, for his reiterated Ser-
vices, perform his promife, by placing him at laft
on the throne of Scotland. With this view, he
gained over the inhabitants of Galloway; fo that
when the king, with a great army, approached the
borders of Scotland, ' he received a confiderable re-
inforcement from this nobleman. Wallace, mean:
time, with about 30,000 men was encamped near.
Falkirk, in an excellent difpofition. Some difaf-
fe&ed troops in his army, now began to difpute.
about the port bf honour ; Edward took notice of
this, and began his attack r the charge was re-echo'd
by the Scots, with fuch an uncommon noife, that
the king's iiorfe, taking fright, threw him and broke
two of his ribs* Edward, regardlefs of his pain,
charged in perfon with the utmoit fury; and Wallace,
who had animated his troops only with thefe words,
" Behold Edward, and fly if you can," fuftained
the fhock without diforder. He was then ready for
a general charge in his turn, when Cumin, who
had been refufed the pofl of honour, filed off with
his divifion without ftriking a ftroke ; leaving Stuart
and his brave troops intirely expofed, who were cut
in pieces. Bruce and his party now wheeling round
a hill with an intention to furround the few troops
which remained, Wallace, to avoid deftrucHon, had
juft time to retreat beyond the river Carron. In
this battle, which was fought on the 22d of July
1298, there fell upwards of 10,000 Scots, and
fcarcely 100 Englifh ; and it is to be imagined that
this great (laughter, and perhaps the defeat, was as
• much owing to the treachery of Cumin, whofe de-
fertion, put Wallace's whole army into diforder j
as to the fuperior number and (kill of Edward's
forces. Bruce, who was ordered to purfue, finding
on his coming to the river Carron, that Wallace
had parted it, agreed to a parly. Bruce taxed the
protector
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48 New History of SCOTLAND.
protector with temerity and ambition, in taking
arms againft fuch a king as Edward was, to become
himfelf the monarch of Scotland. Wallace warmly
disclaimed any thoughts as to the crown, advancing
with a guft of patriotic indignation, " To you the
miferies of your country are owing ; You left her
overwhelmed with wars, and /undertook the caufe
'which you betrayed ; a caufe which I will efpoufe
as long' as' I breathe." It is faid, that thefe .words
-had fo great an effect on Bruce, that, ftricken with
remorfe, he retired to his eftate, and died there
foon after.
Edward, in the midft of his victories, was obliged
to return to England for provifion, and, in his
march back, Wallace, (who to obviate all fufpicion
of having any views pn the Scottifh throne him-
felf, had refigned his protedtorfhip,) kept continu-
ally galling his rear. Cumin was now protector,
whom Wallace juftly hating for his former trea-
chery, this excellent man retired to the woods,
where, with a few friends, he harrafled the Englifh
detachments and convoys, till the year 1303 ; not-
withstanding, that Cumin had, by the interpofi-
tion of the pope and the king of France, ob-
tained a truce ; which expiring in July, and
the Scots refufing to fubmit to Edward, he fent a I
large army among them, with orders, fay Scotch 5
writers, to lay wafte the country. This army, \
which had feparated itfelf into three divifions, care- j
lefly ravaging wherever they came, proceeded fo in- I
cautioufly, that one party, furprifed at Roflin, by j
* 10,000 Scots, headed by Cumin and Frafer, was
defeated. The fecond divifion, hearing of this I
difafter, coming up foon after, was alfo defeated;
and now the third appearing, the Scots, almoft 1
fainting with fatigue, not only flood the fhock of
it, but after an obfHnate ftruggle, gained the vie- I
tory. Scotch writers are in raptures on this occa- j
iioji, reprefenting each divifion of the Englifli as
iuperior
Kew History or SCOTLAND. 49
fuperior in number to all the Scots army ; but by
fome Englifh hiftorians, this circumftance is denied^
and the triple conqueft placed in a difadvantageous
light. Edward, fays Buchanan, on this ever me-
morable defeat, levied a greater army than ever.
With this, entering Scotland, he fpread defolation
far and wide ; fo that the Scots, having been denied
affiftance from their faithlefs ally the Freach, were
forced to fue for peace, which Edward, left he (hotild
drive the Scots to defperation, granted them; and a
treaty was concluded at Stratford, on the $tn of
February 1304* This was the only mftance of
Edward's clemency to the Scots. As they had re-
prefented their revolt to be owing to the rigour of
his regents, he had probably a mind to try what ef«-
fe&s gentle meafures might produce j for upon their
fubmiffion, he only impofed fmall fines on the no-
bility; and on the 15th of October, in the follow-
ing year, he granted a pardon, from which only
Wallace, that rebel to flavery, had the diftinguifhed
honour of being excluded. The gallant leader, be-
ing thus exalted, was. foon after betrayed at Glaf-
gow, by his pretended friend, Monteith. Edward
tried him as a rebel, but the hero, who never had
acknowledged him for his fovereign, pleaded with
great juftice and force of argument, not guilty to
the indi&ment. His plea, however, was over-
ruled, and Edward, to his everlafting difgrace, fuf-
fered this man, " in whofe valiant breaft, (to ufe
a bold expreffion of Camden) God feemed to have
pitched his tent," to die, amidft aggravated barbari-
ties, like a traitor.
The church of Scotland experi- p
enced, in* this century, a large in-
creafe of religious orders. For, in 1219, the bi-
ihop of St. Andrews introduced the Dominicans,
Francifcans, and Jacobines; and, in 1256, the
Carmelites came over, and had a houfe allotted for
them at Perth*
D In
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£d Nrw Hwto^y or S*CQ,T%jAND.
In 1280, the popejbfyifla convened a qauflql at
Lyons, all the bifliqps of Scotland (excg>k jt^uft-
Wld and Murray) we^^ifent %% it:. . i Itwas^fi-e
ordered, that no fe^w^ip be pauj, tp l eyien |m-
ifhops or archdeacons^ unleis, they performed, fbsjr
d my in perfon, if their ftate of , _ life : permitted
them; a ftri& law rwas, made againft pluralities^
and the Mendicant friars were reduced ^ four of-
fers, the Minorites, the Predicants, Carmeljtes,
and Hermits of St. Auguftine. ■, , ; % ir L t
The famous Duns Scotus flourifhe^in^tjys jceri-
"tury j and likewife Michael Scot, aniThom^ ^er-
jnonth, commonly called Thomas theRyrner, fc^Pi re-
futed prophets, whoarefaid, among other fqrpfjfiag
things, to have foretold the union with England*
The Scots, during the interregnum, were very in-
patient under the Englifh yoke. This was Toon, ;per-
.. reived by Robert Bruce, earl of Carrick. His father,
whom Wallace had ftung with remorfe, it is generally
thought, had, in his retirement, enjoined this fon>,of
his to ftrive for the Scottifji crown, whenever he (aw
an opportunity. Pollemng a vaft genius and a laud-*
able ambition, he needed little incitement to glory.
He had in confidence communicated his defign of J>e-
ing king of Scotland to Cumin, who being a power-
ful nobleman, it was necefiaiy that hefhould beJn
his intereih Cumin, who, fince the abdication of
Baliol, appears to have had finiiiar views, betrayed
his confidence. Bruce meeting him afterwards, in
a monaftery at Dumfries, reproached him for v his
bafenefs ; and high words from hence arifing, Bri^ce,
in his paffion,. (tabbed him, on the 10th of iebiju-
ary 1306. After this deed, which fome writers
have aggravated, and which no one can pcrfe&ly
juftify, the voice of the people called him to the
throne, as his birthright. He was accordingly
crowned at Scone, in the prefence of the biihops of
St* Andrew and Glafgow, and many nobkrnen .of
dilliniiion, on the 25th x>f March following.
E4-
Digitized by G00gle
1 £dtord received* tMs r neV^ ^rith . < / . £ .
tHdhi&ment: he prepared littmedi- * i; 3 , f
SteW ^vith all hafte to'cVtifli the'nevr brigi before
jte thould have cojie&ec} arfy conquerable iirreri^,
5 Accordingly, with a vatt force, he entered • Scot-
land 5 and Robert, with a few UndlfcipTlnid tr6of^ f
waited to receive him at Perth. Here enfiied a bat-
~tle,' in which, tho* Bruce performed prodigies oT
* valour^ it cannot be furprifing that he was de-
feated* Edward then ravaged Scotland once more,
and gave free feope to the violence of his temper.
He murthered every maje relation and friend of
Bruce's that he could lay hands on ; among which
.Were three of his brothers. He put the king's fifter
in a wooden cage, where he kept her as a fpe&a-
cle j in fhort, every day gave frefli inftances that
he mortally hated the whole race.
1 ;Ih the mean time, king Robert having eluded
^ Jpdward's fcarch, by flying to the Orkneys, was
concluded to be dead; and the king of England
leaving die earl of Pembroke in his ftead, returned
to quiet his dtnneftic affairs, ppon his departure,
Bruce, having given his friends intimation of his
gretreat, very foon collected iooo men, and in the
iiepth of winter, attacked and routed the Englifh
JbrceSj .His troops every day increaiing, Edward
' now Colledted all the force in his power, and de-
' termined, as he declared, to deftroy Scotland from
Tea to fea. But this horrid defign was fruftra-
ted; for arriving at Carlifle, he was feized by a
- Hux, which, not attending to, it carried him off,
* at Burgh on the Sands, on the 7th of July 1307,
in the 68th year of his age ; having, as it is re-
c ported, ordered his (on to continue the inarch, and
r as a terror to the Scots, to carry his corpfe before
fhem.
JBut the conqueft of Scotland was not fo much
at the heart of Edward the 2d. as was his great fa-
vourite Qavtfton, who having been banjibed by
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52 New History of SCOTLAND.
his father, he now haftcned home to recal and em-*
brace. He left* however. Tome forces behind him^
under the command of John earl of Richmond^
which Bruce defeated. Hte then reduced many-
fmall forts belonging to the Englifh, with Whom,
after which, Bruce, who was as wife as valiant^
concluded a treaty ; in order, mean time, to gather
fufficient force to reduce the ftrong cafHes of Edin*
burgh, Perth, Sterling, and Berwick, which iince
Edward's firft conqueft of Scotland, had been in
their pofleffion. In 13 12, having, as he imagined^
effe&ed his purpofe, he befieged Berwick ; but a
famine obliged him to raife the fiege, and rnakt ex-
cursions into England for provifion. On his re-
turn, he furprifed and took the caftles of Roxburgh
and Perth, and laying clofe fiege to Edinburgh* he
carried it with much difficulty. Thefe exploits^
added to the reduction of the Ifle of Man, which
hecompafled, to fecure a communication with Ire-
land, gained him great reputation.
King Edward having news of thefe conquefts,
and recolle&ing his father's laft words, " reduce
the Scots" affembled an army (which according to
thebeft accounts confifted of 100,000 men,} and
marched into Scotland. Robert, with 30,000 choice
troops, lay encamped at Bannocburn, a place, which
by nature, hindered his troops from being furrounded
or attacked in flank. On the 25th of June 1314,
Edward's army began the attack ; but, under an
aflurance of Victory, in fo irregular a manner, that
Robert's veterans, whom he had learned to fight
with broad fword and target, difordered, cut them
in pieces, and in fliort, obtained as complete a vic-
tory, as hiftory can produce. Robert with one
ftroke killed fir Richard Bohun, who Was reckoned
the ftrongeft knight in England, and had very nigh
taken king Edward, who' efcaped but by the good-
nefs of his horfe. In confequence or this iignal
vi&ory, the Scots gained a prodigious booty. There
were
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» OB E R T I. 53*
were found in the Englifli camp waggon lows oS
chains and fetters^ which Edwacd had prepared: foe
tfte Scots.- The prifoners, doubtlefs, expe&edtkat
tfoefei would now be thdir portion ; on the contrary^
be behaved with the greateft lenity; and exchanged
^he nobility amongft them for his wife and filter*
whom Edward the firft had carried to London.
Sterling, Dunbar, and Berwick now furrendered ta
him, and Bruce became king of Scotland in reality.
Ticking had one brother, who had efcaped the
jpage- of; Edward the firit. His name was Edward,
and his genius alfo afpired to a kingdom. Under-
ftanding that the Irifh being foreiy opprefled by
their Englifli governors, were ripe for a revolt, he
borrowed forces of his brother, and landing at
Carrickfergus with about 7,000 men, deftroyed
Dundaik, and drove the Englifli out of U liter.
Moft of the Irifh, who always considered them-
felves as relative Scots, now declaring in his favour,
he was crowned king ; while Robert kept dally-
ing Edward of England till 1317, with offers of
peace. Edward Bruce was then hard preffed by
the Englifli, and Robert went over to his aflifiance j
having been of great fervice to his brother, (who,
the yea* after* however, was furprifed andflain) he
retired to his own dominions, on receiving intima-
tion that Edward had thoughts of invading them.
The Englifh monarch would have been glad to
l*ave exchanged Ireland for Scotland, of which,
in the king's abfence, he had endeavoured to be-
come mailer. He had belleged Berwick ; which Ro-
bect immediately, on his arrival, marched to re-
lieve, and driving the Englifli before him, ravaged
York. This conduit fo enraged the archbifhop of
that city, that he raifed an army of 10,006 men.
He commanded it himfelf ; bujt the mad-headed pre-
late was defeated at Mittoh, on the 21ft of Sep-
tember 1319. This battle, from the number of
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54 New Hisfotv of SCOTLAND.
priefo and mpnks^ who fought in tkeir fiirplices, andt
Were flaift or drowned, was called the white battle*
After this defeat,^ Robert concluded a truce with
England, and til) £322^ cultivated the arts of peace.
W&Jfl Edward haying in the mean time raifed a
large 'army, broke the truce, and in July, invaded
the kingdom. It is certain, that he penetrated a*
fiar as Edinburgh, where his vaft army was again
defeated, and himfelf purfued to York, Robert, in.
his return ^ burnt the town of Ripptfn, and fined
Beverly in a confide rable fum. Edward now gave
over a}l thoughts of fubduing the Scots, and made
peace with Robert on the following terms, " Thafr
all the forts /hould remain mjfatu quo ; that neither
party foould aflift the enemies of the other, except
#n a war with France." The affairs of bommeree
and jntergourfe were likewife regulated ; and Scot*
fend, after her fatigues, enjoyed perfect reft, till the
death of the Englifh king in 1326. Wa* theft be^
gan to rage afrefli, owing to JBruce's making an ef*
tort to free his countrymen from their homage fa
England. -
Eif 1328, Edward the 3d. by the *dvke;of hi$
queen, and her great favourite Mortimer, imeon-
Cderation of 30,000 marks* renounced all ! &*ky
and homage from the Scofcsfor himfelf and fucceilbrs^
The Scots confidered this as the principal article jni^
truce of four years* which in other refpeefcs, (parties?
larly a treaty of marriage between Edward's daughter
and Robert's fon) was alfo much in their favour. *
This great point being gained, Robert fat down :
. contented* but in the ye^F following^ a lepipfy,
which he was afflidted with, increafed fo fpft 4 aeto
put an -end to his life and glorious reign, on th<p
frith of June 1329* in the 54th year of the former^
and 24th of the latter.
Before his death, he had ordered, according t^
the cuftom of ' the times, that his heart (heujkr
Jj? egprjec^ $p the Holy, Land, v which fir Jame?
., . ..." /fiougUfi*
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n I* A V J> B H. M 5$
Bfcughtft^who had the commtfRon, feithfully pttl
formed; He had previously fettled the fucceifioa:
<*rt< hi^lbfc' David, and in default ^>f heirs male, on
hh grandfotf the great ftewan}*^ Scotland. On hit
death-bed, he deiired that the Ebf Ides, or Weftern
fttes, might never be governed by one man, left it
ihould ekcite him to rebellion ; and that in future
ware wkfr England, his countrymen would prefei*
feirmifhes and fudden attacks to phfched battles.
• v This excellent prince,' who Was im firft that in-
troduced representatives of boroughs in parliament,
had an equal genius for the field or cabinet. To
Aim up hts character in few words, he was one of
fhd greateft princes that ever fwayed the Scottifh
"fcepter, whether confidered as a warrior, a monarchy
Qt a wan. His character is blackened by fome
Engfcfh writers, who reprefent him, as having at
firft fought againft his country > this is blaming the
fori for the faults of his father ; for it was the lat-
ter only who was Wallace's enemy; but this cir-
cumftance, of which many hiftorians, by blending
the actions of both Bruces, appear ignorant, will
feiVe to reconcile the difference.
;fie was twice married : by the earl of Mar's fifter
\gi had a daughter, who efpoufed Walter, high ftew-
ard of the kingdom ; the other, Elizabeth, daughter
of Henry de Burgh, brought him a fon, who, now
ifi the 9th year of his age, under the guardjanfhig
<if Randolph, earl of Murray, fucceeded him*
%X DAVID; II. ,.'.: r
? v *Tte Scots, under the government of :0>
'Randolph, enjoyed great felicity. Heprov- ^S^-r
e^Prlgfdly juft, for in 1332, he executed a malefac^
fbr^ though the pope had pardoned him ; and as the
good regent died foon after this* circumftance, fome
Wpeei that for his irreverence to the pontiff, he was
•poifoned by an enthufiaftic monk. Duncan* earl oF
fHat^ w^s Appointed %is fuoceffor; antf mrttfanf u»-
ibl i ifeefHrevoiution very foon took place,
b 4 r ■ The
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56 New History of SCOTLAND.
The mock monarch BalioJ, having obtained his
liberty, thro* the intercenlon of the Pope* died at
hiS eitate in France, in 1314. He. left behind him
two fons, Edward and Henry. The former*, hav-
ing been inftigated, by one Twenge (a wretch
whom the late regent had outlawed) to aflert his
claim, to the Scottifh throne, he liflened to his ad*
vice* and, difclofing his fentiments to Edward king
ot England, requefted his afliftance, and offered,
in cafe he lhould fucceed in his attempt, to hold
the crown of him as fovereign, in the manner ..of
h,s father, Edward, tho' he greatly regretted that
hv had been drawn in by Mortimer, ?to refign this
fupremacy over Scotland, was, however, a prince
oi tpomuch juftice, or policy, to violate ppenly a
truce, which, notwithftanding, he heartily wiflaed
were expired, Neverthelefs, hiftorians agree, that
the virtue was riot wholly proof againft this alluring)
Fait : fome fay, he went fo far as to affift Ballot
behind the curtain. Whatever truth there may be
in this, it is certain, that Baliol carried on matters,
fo privately, that he landed at Kinghorn, with about
4,oco Englifh and Scotch volunteers, on the ift of,
March 1332, without oppofition. The ftates be-.
ing foon apprifed of his intentions, levied a confider-;
able force, in order to ftop his progrefs. By the;
imprudence of the earl of Mar, and the valourof
Baliol's troops, this army was defeated at Dupplin*
the regent and many of the principal nobility being
Jflain.
Edward then took Perth, and proceeding to
Scone, aflumed the crown. In confequence of ■.
which, he declared, that he would confider evjetjr ?.
one as a traitor, that fibould refufc to fwear fealty
to him. On this declaration, he was joined by.
many men of power, and his party now grew \eiy
ihorig. The 'few, who ftill continued faithful
to David, appointed fir Alexander Murray his
regent i but as that knight was fhortly after taken
prifoner
firifcner by Baliol, (whohad routed ^haffofbeshe
jcomrnaaded,) the royal party l6ft^rbunf ever^ *day.
They, hCVerthehrfs, c&ofe lord^Archtibattr &ou-
•gfa& regent, who thought fit to apply tb kirig Ed-
ward in behalf of the young king. Qn the other;
hand, Baliol, who had now become, in a manner,
mafter of Scotland, fcnt to him his homage, variety
jrasas flaviih as his father's. ^ '[
-The truce tetween England and Scotland waa
now expired, and Edward considered* ^iimfelf at li-
berty to perftte the bent of his melioration. ^Th|
fubmiifion of Baliol Avas highly agreeable to him j
but yet he would not feem to quarrel with the 4 other
party, without a pretext of juftice. *&& told the
regent, that he fhoukt hot concern hinifelf with
their eftates, any farther than claiming the caftie of
Berwick for himfelf, let it be in the pofieifion either .
of David or BalioFs party. That caftle his grand-
father had folemnly annexed to his crown, and
therefore that caftle, he faid, tho* recovered by Bruce,
thro* the fupinenefs of his father, was his right.
This caftle, as Edward well knew, was ftill main-
tained by the royalifts, and Baliol having refigned
all his intereft in it to him, he thus had a pretext
for becoming his friend ; and, as the regentrefufed co
five up Berwick, of courfe he was David's enemy,
Gotland, opprefled b v foreign and inteftine foes,
was now in a deplorable fuuation. King Edward
With a vaft force, laid fiege to Berwick. After he
had battered the place for more than a month, with
Very little fttecefs, he raifed the fiege in order to
lelieve his queen, whom the Scots,, in their turn,
had befiegecj in Banibdrough caftle. The Scots re-
tired at his approach, upon which he returned to
Berwick, and attacked that fort with redoubled Vi-
gour. The regent determined, at all events, to le-
lieve this gaxrhon; and Edward, having received
news, that^he. was advancing with a large an y,
poiTeifed himfelf of a very :aaVantage0&s itatic.i n
i £ 5 Haiidon
Digitized by CjOOQLC
{# New HiMroitiLof SCOTL&Nf).
M Wfon HtfU Wh*jngu*> *mmadfultrf Ac b*r
feng's r > dy iwg . imito&iofis, was refblute to attack
l&wgrbV ^bo' ; lbi» adraratageoufly poflttL , This
rain boldnefs terminated in a total defeat of <h«£
Scot* tfjftqfo the regent fell, with mc&trf ti*e«n6©i~
lity, undi 15,000 common men were, either kitted
or made . captive. On this memorable «xiSfe*j£
which, as it is faid, coft die Englifh only^ kaigirt?
an^efqwke, and fifteen foldier*> Berwick mkvofas.
afiely furrendered. >..\ -v>:>8 iU
, On thetofc^ef thUbattfe, which wasaimoft th*
overthrow of the Brucounintereft, Darid and W»
young queen fled to France. Philip received then*
with, a kingly hofpitality, and ratified the following^
treaty; " lir, A perpetual alliance and oonfedetaeje
between both nations j ad, That the Scots an*
FEench Jhoujd mutually fuccour each others againfl;
the English with men of war* to- be waged and vie* *
totalled at the expence* of the party aflifted^ v^dfc
That neither nation ihould affift the Engl lfh wttfo
money, victuals, or advice, without the content of
both kings, under the penalty of being declared
guilty of high treafon ; 4th, That the French fliouM %
make no peace or truce with the Engltfh^ except the
lung of Scots may be comprifed, named,) ajukatx
tawed therein ; and at each change or fticceffion o£
them, that* their pragmatical* fan&ions: fee rccipno*-
cally confirmed." «v:>
Whilft this treaty was on the. carpet, Edwarf
Baliol had called a parliament, which met the be*
ginning of February 1334, in the abby-cburch of
Holyroodhoufe^ Here, in confidecatioit of the gboxt
jferviceao of Edward, king of England, he gran*r
ted that monarch 2000 /. fterling per annum? arid?
farther, to (hew his gratitude, as he called uyfce
followed Edward, to Newcaftle, where, on the jcgdfe
of June, after having given that king* a fole andt
feparate right to the towns, counties, andc^ftlesofi
Jedworth, S y l k i rk, Etrick, Haddington* Linlith-
Digitized by GoOgle
AVLBJ.TLOV'1 *-*Bt*oHvA wsW &
^oreit^fineifc provinces in Scodand J. he paid trtfn
ftd Imoft flai^.ihiwogeT^^tlw* of his
ithe EngHflii iri coirfequeiicfe of 'this infa*
too* cefton, came t»talre poffe&o a ^f thcfe places^
the Scats iegan to look around trfem. They~f>er^
ceived d»t their king wasf in ft&< £d#a*d Vtool/
aatf^fihaft this ftep was introductory to hi» rftflavin^
all Scotland. - rl :. vl ^
sriWhihi the Scot* were thus rijote for molt, John
Randolph, earl ofMurray, coming over fronif Frahcc^
withjRhilip ? * promife to reflate young David ; and
acquainting his countrymen, that, purfCfant to the
tfoatyt ten capital (hip* Tfrere coming over for 'that?
jfcufflpofc^ the Bruc^ahs determined to tiorfirh^nccr
Jtoftthtiesi Robert, the high fteward of Scotland,
and ifir: CoHji Campbell, railed 400 men; and
declaring for king David, furprifed and took the*
eaftle of Duncan in Kyle. This little (uccefs de-
termined numbers of the nobility to join them; and
Ac 1 high fteward, who, tho* very young, was a
man tof great abilities, was chofen king David's re-
•gent; £11335, this regent Is fold, by many hi*-
toiiafts, to have forfaken the intereft 6f his coun^
ftynitf: is very certain, that he did not ad with
the fpirk^rith which he began; and the French,
who, notwithftanding their pompous profeffions,
Went' never hearty friends; having in all this year
fait the Scots no aid, Bruce's party, blocked up
by Eehrard ttf JEngland, who pofieffed Edinburgh
<ta^f r 'dnd the palles of Sterling and the Forth,
-wos^n 1 the ntoftlarfieri table fituation, without pro-'
^fongj-moriey; and ofmfc. But in the caiife of li-
bei-tyv What hatfdfliips wiH not a refolutfe people en-
diico. 1 Th&y/r&fcitd to thefr fortreifes, from which
they rtfrprifed EngHfl* detachments* and lived 0*
thew plunder, t >: ,
Th«
. Digitized by GoOgle
60 New History of SCOTLAND.
The r oyalifts led this fevei* life till the ipring of
1336^ when Philip of France began to ftir in fav
s/ vour of David. He found a martial difpafitfon m
the young monarch, whom he now intrufted with
the command of 26 gallies, fufficieritly vichiailed
and manned, .with which he made defcents 0*
Guemfey. and Jerfey. He was unable to -landfill
his own dominions; but as Edward went to £n^-
land, to confuk his parliament about proceeding
/agatnft the French ; his friends were able to aflem-
ble ; i and having taken Dunoter v KinenV«ndriL*w-
riiler c allies, which Edward had well fortified ^ahfl
garrifoncd ; ,havingbeen joined too by fir Alexander
Murray, who was taken prtfoner in 1 332,' and JioW
made joint regent* they grew ftrong enough: in the
fpring ^33j7, to reduce the caftle of £othweU, and
wire almoft able to have flood a battle with Ba-
ilors party. However, mindful 06 their late king's
dire&ions, they retired' to their ftrong holds, and
only, as oocafion Offered, fkirmifhed wifh the
Engl ifh. By thefe means, it appears^ that at the
clofe of the year, Perth, Cowper, Sterling, and
£dinburg, were all the fortified places which were
in the poffeffion of either Baliol or his paramount.
But in the beginning of the year 1 338^ fir Aiexandtr
\/ Murray, the regent, died, and Robert the fteward
of Scotland, being now fole regent, prepared to
enter heartily into king's David's caufe ; and Phi-
lip of France, with, whom Edward had been tam-
pering concerning the Scots, having folemnly de-
clared that he would fupport them to the utmoftof
his power 5 war between thefe two nations was the
confequence; and Edward, who feemed hototi the
conqueft.of France, refolvedto command his army
on the continent in perfon. ■/' >vKjf>;
Whilft the king of England was pre^
4339* paring for this expedition, fir William
- Douglafs went to France, f to acquaint*
king David how matters ftood in Scotland j and m
* .
s ^
D A V ID, H. • 61
jrepmfcnt the probability of hist, rteftnratjon, if f the
French, in confequencc of th^ic treaty, would fur-
*rfiflr him with troops. Philip, ab an' carneft of his
intentions to ferre. the Scots, immediately fent back
©buglafs with fire (hips, ibme troops, and plenty
of provhldns. With this affiftance, the regent was
^enabled to ' fubdue the caftle of Perth, ^hich, in
the abience of Douglafs, he- had laid fiege to r and
which made fuch a. vigorous defence, that if this
jreinfopcenient had not arrived, he muft have given
wp the point. But now Edward of England, very
likely not thinking himfelf yet fufficiently able to
cope with the united power of France and Scot-
land^ concluded a truce (in which both nations
were comprehended) to Midfummer 1340.
■;■'■ Thetrucewas nofooner expired, thanDouglafs, by
tie following ftratagem, retook the caftle of Edin-
burg : Being well acquainted with its fituation, he,
at daybreak, prefented himfelf with about twelve
df his trueft friends^ before the caftle, difguifed like
failors and waggoners, with carts attending them*
itt which they pretended that they had brought
provifions to the garrifon. The porter let Douglafs
come into the outer court. Douglafs inftantly killed
him, and taking the keys of the caftle from off his
arm, he admitted his followers; having previoufly
k concealed a large body of armed men, lirider the
hrfhs 3 of adjacent buildings, they emerged from the
rabbifh at the found of a horn ; and thus he became
Bftafter of the garrifon, all which they put to the
iword, except Leigh, the governor, and fix Englifh
efquif^Si. The next year Douglafs plied Sterling
fb wzrmlfy that, notwithftanding a reinforcement
rrom^Edtvard the 3d, the garrifon was glad to ca-
pitulate for life and limb.
- The brave and indefatigable Douglafs had now
left m poffeffion of the Englifh, only the two caftles
_<of Berwick and Roxburgh. At the former, were
*lhe two Edwards With a considerable force > but
Digitized by G00gle
*5t New HfyronT ojf S£QTI*AND.
the Eagl#H army,^ired ©sot witfy foUpwfeg %be £c#fcfcj
in their, recefles, where they often, fejl: jntp a*nj>ufh*r
cade** and bejhg befides in want of .prpynAon^ <&*BH/
eluded a truce to the end pftfce year 1^43, "ioTcbito
bafis.pf it was, « That unlefs kingPftvid retustiftfe
to his people, with force fufficient to wit^H^n4 1( fe^|>
enemies by June* the Scots would never acknOjy-
lege either him or his pofterity, but ow$ J&dwaQ&c
for their Xovereign/' . , t : ;■>; t ^vv
.This truce, which is denied by ftwe, gniijCi
Others faid to be difhonourable to the Scot^, piiitfa^r
contrary, reflected luftre on them, as a free and r ai
fpirited people. They knew that £>av}d„ was UjfrMfc^
of age to command an arrays and under the ^re^j
fumption that he was indulging in floth, pr atjeaftV
that he was dilatory in urging Philip's alfcftafcc^
(as it never appears that the Scots had any otheir
aid from him than what Douglafs brought pve*vY
lj*$y undoubtedly thought, and with , the greatejtj
propriety, that a^jng, who would make no effort 2
for a crown, or a, people's liberties, was unworthy ;
of government. David, who feems to have been:
detained fo J^ng in France, on no other motive tha&*
Philip's bubb^in^ pretences, on the news, of ,thi9|
truce,. told th£ french monarch, that he payft t h$
dallied with no longer. Troops, were now gra&$fe£j
him; and in May, kins David and his queens i£*v
companied by feveral Danifh and Swedilh knigbtoj
as volunteers, landed at Innerberry, from whence*:
amidft the enthufiaftic fhouts of hi« people, oeca^
fioned lefs by his long abfence,, than his then &&>
clearing behaviour, he proceeded to Perth. Hej^
having viewed his army, and the deibjatj&ftatftjoft
his kingdom, he was eager to ravage England ; and}
. efpecially to reduce Berwick^ in which caftle h»j
competitor Baliol refided in quality of Edward's;
governor. His nobility, however, advifed peaCfc^
and David, who had a deep fenfe of his engager
Rents with France* wa* at laft^ with difficulty
brougnt
Digitized by GoOgle
Vrtagh&d <»tffil^#f^y«^ >
white DdVi*t*£uhrte<i his ciVil fettW^ fcfcfcived i* >
o*tri*of ftafcy *bm hii fubjeva*^ arti coiiftitwted
«3obert* thd gretet flfeWardrof ScoUaikfc, hi* hefr, «*
dafr^tr^ ifite. - /
"^Ttfc^^t^^ert^e coined in f 34$,- A<H&ng reswaifc*
alto oxa*w*?Hl -the year #bllmving, when David*
wkilft Edward was in France,- prepared tote vide
Stfgktrtd. Wewas more thtti* 60^000 ftr^ng, and
wt*ildhave latd^a&e a)l the countf otf Cumber
Jtod, if the monies had ftot compounded forttteir
ftofiitffioflV by raifing hin* roooA * Be«ftima*«d atf>
Jfcfigjtihman's life at thte& pence, for whoever could
not pay hkn that firm was* put *6 the* ftffctd. The
queefc'of Eflgferid havmg rafle* an atthy, thC
ifttfrgtli df Which cartrttt be* atejftained, headed
thettfheffelf, ihdoft ihe i^thp^ Q^obe#, dppbfc*
Skattid near Durha**** lit tYm battle, (thro* the?
treachery,- fay Scottifh writers, df Robert, thehigltf
fte^atd, who wa# impatient t& wear tha crbwn)>-
the Scots wore not only totally defeated, but their
ktag* tho' he perforated the gteateft' perfortal ex--
ploksy waa take» pnfonery by a>i party under one'
Jshn Coupfend, tw* of whofe *eeth 4ie dafhed out'
beiwehr yielded ta him; Thr brate Douglafs,*
with the bifhops <4 St. Andrew and Aberdeen, the'
earls of Monteith, Sutherland, Fife, and many
more Phased their monarch's fete; and Hay, lord
conftable^ Keith, lord marfta^ N Stragutrin, lord'
chancellor, wiih : other rrien. of note, artd above
20,000 comtkon me* were flail*. . The EnglMh, it
feems, loft four knights and five efquires, but how
many common fokticrs is uncertain. Couphmd
brined away hk *oyaJ ( captive to Bamborough caf-
tjte* whieh was hi* friend* Piercy's ; nor would he
tett where the king was, or let hirtv be delivered tn>
t&the queen, till he bad feen Edward m France,
*b*> giving him 500 /• ft* anttttttf, *>& the honor
d by Google
«4 New History of SCOTLAND.
of knighthood, ordered that he fhould deliver David
to his valiant confort, tp be lodged in the Tower*
till himfelf arrived in England On jhe a^rof
January 1347, David was accordingly lodged in
that fortreft ; but Monteith, haying long before fworo
fealty to Edward, was executed as a traitor. ,*
. Robert, the fteward, who was now made regent
Of Scotland, prepared to ftop the progress of Ba*-
liol, whofe ambition reviving, he had reduced fe»
veral forts. But now a moft dreadful plague* whidr
had arifen in Afia, over-run Europe : jio Ids than
20 millions of fouls are faid tp have fallen by this
peftilence, which caufed a cefTation of arpa^aH over
this quarter of the world till 1353- The ftates of
Scotland, mean time, and till 1355, when the truce
with England expired, had made many ineffectual
negotiations concerning their king's ranfom. And
tho' they paid for his maintenance while he was in
captivity, they would not procure his enlargement
on difhonourable terms.
John, Philip's fucceflbr, had now fent them over
(applies of money, and they therefore determined ta
recommence houilities. They ftormed Berwick,;
which, however, in 1356, was retaken; and this
year Edward Baliol, who, excepting perfonal cou-
rage, feems to have been as weak a man as his fa-
ther, being old, difpirited, and unwilling to be the
ball of fortune any longer, refigned all his preten-
fions to the Scottifh throne, on condition of re*
ceiving, out of the cuftoms of the towns of Hall
and Bofton, 2000/. per annum; with which he.
lived privately on his own eftate, and died at Don* ,
caller in 1363.
in the treaty which foon took place,
l 3S7* ar * er Edward Baliol's renunciation, Ed~
-ward, for jthe firft time, called David?
king of Scotland ; and on the 3d of Q&ober, in
this year, David obtained his liberty on the follow-.
ing conditions ; " ift, That 1,00,000 marks be paid
by 10,000 yearly, and that twenty Tioftages be given
^ .4 for
Digitized by GoOgle
D A V I D II. 6$
for the performance of it; 2d, Till this &m b c
paid, that both kingdoms preferve peace with each
other.; 3d, On failure of payment; that Davi4
again furrender himfelf, or the lord fteward, Dou~
glais and Murray in his room." The clergy and\
nobility bound themfelves together with David for
the. true performance of thefe articles. But before
Edward parted with David, he is faid to have grati-
fied himfelf with dining, with his crown on his
head, between David, and John king of France,^
whom the glorious Black Prince had made captive-
the preceding year. ^ r
~ David now returned joyfully to his kingdbm. As 7
tile price of his liberty was great, he applied to.'
France for antftance; but that court pleading
fimilar. diftrefles, (as indeed they might with great
juftiee) his clergy are faid to have been his beft*
fj&tnd$« In 1359, he eftablifhed'with England a
tpaty of commerce ; and procured his fubie&s the
liberty of ftudying at Englifli feminaries. Nothing
remarkable occurred, (except Jane, the Scbttilk
queen's death, in 1 361) till 1363, when Edward*
pxppofed a fbederal union with David; the fub-
ftance of which was* That Edward would remit
the, remainder of the ranfom; that he would rengn
all the places in his pofiefton, which had "been for*
merry conquered by Robert Bruce ; that in all trea-
ties .with other powers, each king fhould either be
ftiled in the plural number « the kings," or elfe
" the king of England and Scotland;" and irju
fhort, that the king of England was willing to'
grant, by advice of his council, whatever the Scots
could reafonably afle, if king David, by. way of
equivalent, would conftitute king Edward his
hein
* This was a very extraordinary propofal for fo
potent a monarch as Edward the 3d. to make to
fuch a king as David. He would gladly have clofed?
with it; but what is perhaps more extraordinary
thaa
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66 NewjHistdry or SCOTLAND.
t^aw the propofal itfelf, his people, notwithftaasBitg 5
a- union like this* would have terminated their har&i"
ihipfi, dedar«d. they -would fufFer ftill greater, ra-
ther than theirking fhould, on any terms, refign
their much-loved independency.
This fcheme of Edward's proving abortive, Da^ r
vid, by advice of his parliament, married a youhg
lady, one Margaret Logy, by whom, though in
the prime of life, not having any iffue ; it is faid, v
that in the years 1365-6-7, they ridiculoufty viftted
the moft noted fhrines, and particularly St. Tho*
inasua-^Beckfet's* on that pretence:
: Thehiftoryof Scotland now grows very dark,
aitd all that we know for certain is, that on his re-
turn from a vifit, which he had paid to Edward,
the king died without iffue, at Edinburgh on the 22*
cf'Febroary 1370, in the 48th year of his age, and
the 41ft of his reign. The character given him by
ftveral is, that as a monarch, he was credulous,
vain, and bigotted; and as a man, ingenious, fobcr
and affable.
R Q B E JL T IL *
Robert, the high ftewarci, (con-
X370. ^erning whofe genealogy it is fuffi-
cient to fay, that he was the Imeat
defcendant of Walter, on whom Malcolm the 3d,
as has been remarked, firft beftowed the office,)
agreeably to the aft of fucceffion, now mounted the
throne 5 tht firft of the family of the Stuarts.
Fourteen years truce with the Engli(h taking*
place, on his acceffion, and no civil transaction hav-^
ing been handed down, nothing material tranfpir&l
till the death of king Edward the jd,' arid hte Va-f
liantfon, in 1377. French emiffanes being the** a£
the court of Scotland, encouraged Robert to far-*
prife Berwick; but the Englifh foon after retook W
The year following, one Mercer, an able ^Stotch
feamanfcouring the feas in a kind of piratic$fc rftaiW
Her, annoyed tie Englifh confiderably ; but John
Philpot,
Digitized by GoOgle
ROBE R T II. ' 6f.
*frilpot, * ipirited alderman of London} Having
mt&}> out a little fleet, at his own efcpenee, took
he rover with fifteen rich Spamfli fhips, whicjb }io
*ad : under : convoy. From this time, till 1384.*
rontinued a fkirmifhing war with intervening truces.
Jutky hiftorians minutely defcribe the takingiihd
etaking of forts and towns; but it is imagined*
;fcat the reader will readily difjpenfc with fuch rela*
tiontfl here, efpecially as neither party, after all their
tnvadings and (kirmifliings, gained any confiderahk'
idvaittage:. :
In 1385, the Scots, renewing theirantient league
uvjth the French, were affifted by that nation with
50*000 L and fome troops, the number not kliown<
Richard the 2d of England, being made acquainted
&kh |his circumftance, entered Scotland, wkh to
[iornpous army* like Edward the 2d* with an in-^
tafttjoi* to fubdne the people, and lay wafted the
eousttry* Robert, apprifedof his intentions, fraffed
fche.Foxth, with the moft valuable of his effects r
leaving a body of troops under lord Douglafs,
who ihould occafionajly harrafs the enemy. Ri-
chard paffing Berwick, found the country defo-
liate ; continuing, however, his march to Edirt-
bufgi he levelled that city with the ground ; which:
indeed irt thofe days, was foon effected, for Edin-
burg rtot being then, as k is now, the capital of
Scotland, coniifted only of a few mean hovels.
When he had performed this martial feat, theduke*
of Lancafter, advifing him to carry his arms acrofs*
Ae Forth, and follow Robert : the weak king, who,
it feepis, had been led to imagine, that the duke
had a finifter defign in this advice^ declared that he
would not advance a ftep further: in fbort, he left
Scotland, (Douglafc continually harraffirr^ him)*
wkhout doing one fmglca&ion, which couid coun-
tenance hisexpenfive preparations ; on the contrary.
peugWs obtained a truce for hts -countrymen tin
S:^-:.-.. ■:. .'.■■:■::■;:-._ vi
C - * Digitized by G00gle
68 New History or 5 CO TL AND.
The Irifh, during the laft five jrears/ havlftg
made defcents on the-weftern parts of Scotlarf&f
Robert, now determined to make reprifels. *^<9be
William Douglafs, (a baftard fon of Archibald lo«l
* Galloway,) accounted the moft handfome and ae-
complifhed gentleman of his time, and to whom
Robert, for the affection he bore to him, had given
bis daughter Giles in marriage, was fent on this
expedition. He executed his commiffion with great
fiiccefs ; for after having defeated the Irifli militia*
of Dundalk and Carlirigford, he loaded a dozen of
fhips, which he found in the harbour, with booty.
In his return home, hearing that the family of the
Montagues, who poffeffed the Ifle of Man, had be-
haved amifs, to his countrymen, he laid it wafte,
and then landed his fpoils near Loch Riar,
Robert was fo elated with th^ fucceis
1388., of Douglafs, that, calling a parliament
at Aberdeen, he propofed an inyafion ot
England. The flates concurring, he accordingly
raifed two armies 3 one under the command of the
earls of Fife and Monteith, * Wiljiam Douglafs and
Alexander Lindfay j and another under the earls of
Pouglafs, March, Crawford and Murray. , They
confifted of 15,000 men each. The former entered
Cumberland by the Weft Marches, and the latter
proceeding dire&ly to Northumberland, ravaged
that county. Both armies met, according to agree-
ment, near Newcaftle, which was defended by
Henry and Ralph Piercey, fons to the earl of Nor-,
thumberland. William Douglafs having felefted
2000 foot and 300 horfe, determined to ftorm the
caftle next day j before which, it feems, he received 9
a challenge from Henry Piercey, furnained, from his
fierce valour, Hotfpur, whom Douglafs, at the firft
onfet, difmounted and deprived of his fpearand pen- .
nant, with which he boaited to return in triumph to^
Scotland $ and it was really his intention, as he found
d by Google
ROBERT IL 69
tJ^at he muft mifcarry in his attempt to ftorm the
caiftle,
, Henry was fo mortified at, this defeat, that he
fwore Douglais ftiould never carry a fpear of his in*
to Scotland: Sallying out, therefore, in queft of
Douglafe, with 600 horfe and 8000 infantry^ he
found him encamped at Otterburn. Hotfpur at-
tacked the Scots by moonlight, and with fuch re-
folution, that they were on the point of being
routed, when the brave Douglafs rufhed into r £he
middle of the Englilh, with his battle-ax inhis]i£*idV
The Scots, in admiration of their leader, ,^nd re-
inforced by the earl of Dunbar, returned with vi-
gour to tne charge, and obtained a complete vic-
tory 1 though not without the lofs of their heroic
commander, who having proceeded too incautioufly
into the main body of the Englifh, was furrounded
and cut to pieces, together with his chaplain, who
fought by his fide : 200 Englifh were left dead on
the field i and Hotfpur, ana his brother, with a-
bove 100 perfons of diftin&ion befides, were takeii
prifoners.
This celebrated battle, commonly called Chevy*
cbace-fighu was fought on the 21ft of July, in which
only 100 Scots were killed, but double that num-
ber were taken prifoners. Both parties, with re-
ject to their prifoners, behaved with the greateft
generofity ; being exchanged for each other, or al-
lowed to fix their own ranfom. In confequence of
this battle, a truce was agreed on, till Auguft 1392,
in which the allies of both fides were comprehended ;
though the Scots now veiy juftly began to look on
the French as a ielfifh and wavering people.
King Robert, who was grown very infirm, and
had, therefore, for fome time, given the reins of
government to his fon, the earl of Fife, did not
furvive this truce ; for he died at his caftle of Dun-
donald, on the 19th of April 1390, in the 75th
year of his age, and the 19th of his reign,
• />-, & * Robert
.. Digitized by GoOgle
yo New^ Hisr or y op S G OT LA N D.
Robert does not appear to hav£ been fond of fighS-
ifcg; but he was mild, juft, and (what lie is greatly
to be praifed for) unwilling to undertake anv affkfr
^wkho^t the full concurrence of his parliament.
lietfe taked with concupifcence j for tho* he Wgfs
twice married, firft to Elizabeth ' Meir, by wlioiii
he had John, who fucceeded him, and five other
children; and afterwards to a lady hamed Ifa-
! feel, by whom he had three; yet he kept two
fftiftarefles, by whom he had a numerous iflue. Ro-
^bert was the firft who introduced the coiriing of
^©ld Jfi "Scotland* He feems lilcewife to have been
the iirft king who made ufe of %any device or em-
wWem* 'His was a coronet over a terreftrial globe*
ivith the following motto, Partitas vaniiarunty et
tmnia vanitas*
ROBERT III.
This king's real name was John y but
^390* the ftates of Scotland, who could not
forget the wretched John Baliol, and
who reflected with r&pture on his Xucceflor, Brude ;
jiot having yet divefted themfelves of their Caledo-
nian -fuperftition, changed it to Robert. The king
Jiaving been lamed by a kick from an horfe, and be-
ing likewife both fickly and of a meek difpofition,
after he .had prolonged the truce wkh the Englifh
till 1398, reiigned the adrniniflxation of affairs al-
naoft mtirely to his brother, the earl of Fife, who
jiad been regent in the life-time of his father.
During this truce, the two powerful clans of
Chattan and Kay being continually at enmity with
each other, arid difturbing the peace of. the realm,
the earl of Crawford was made the inftrument of
filencing their fquitbles ; which he brought about
by this jjrtiul (c he ire : He propoied that thirty of
each clan, chanpi ns for both tribes, fliould decide
their refp^ctive ciferenccs by the {word; at the
far e tinA that the kir ^ who with his nobility,
v-crc ore fpe6uitors 0! fhe combat, would pardon
*he c£u*u;8 of Loth, and 1 w ward the conquerors.
The
Digitized by G00gle
The Highlanders readily clofcd wi* h t&e propofal $
ag^d a day was appointed for thq fixty chapipipjXs
^^ieet a* the Npr^-inch of Perth. But; at this
ffmd^zyous, one of the clan of Chattan bei^g fo^nd
^Wj^nting, Jlenjy Wynd* a fadler in ,th.e town, <>f.
ijerea^ for a.gpld ducat, to fupply hjs place. And
^w both parties engaging with the aioft unbounded
fury, Wynd, whom peribnal ejimity had. not de-
prived of fkill and difcretion, by his valour and
activity, obtained the vi&ory over the JCays£ ojv-
Jy erne of that clan efcaped the death which all
r the re# bad met with, by fwimming over the Tay,
which indeed h? jvas prudent in doing, fince, be-
J(ides the fadler, there was a third part of the
X^hattans ftill remaining. The reader from this re-
lation, may form fome idea of thofe antient clans,
which were even then too barbarous and powerful
a £q be totally fubdued .
>. - Notwithstanding, hiftorians have tranfmitted no
particulars, it is reafpnable to think that the coun-
try, as well as the court of Scotland, during this
long interval of peace, m lift have greatly improved.
The latter, however, as is but too commonly the
1 cafe, imported vice with % politenefc. Robert had
created his eldeft fon duke of Rothefey, and his
/brother, th$ regent, duke of Albany. Thefe were
Jhe firft of that title in Scotland j and the former
, now became profligate, and the latter ambitious.
Rothefay committed fo many excefies, that his fa-
ther, in hopes of his fettling, fought to marry him.
The thrifty king, who aimed to make as good
$ bargain as he could for his fon, told his nobility
I that, whoever bid moft money mould be honoured
-tJUfith £is, alliance. The earl of March, who was
*> f%Q beil '-bidder, paid down a fum of money on the
. fliail; arjd, coming to court a few days after, to fet-
tle matters againft his daughter's nuptials, he was
told that his rival in power, the earl of Dba^hCs^
had fince offered above him, and therefore, on that
account^
Digitized by GoOgle
72 New History of SCOTLAND.
account, was preferred. March, being greatly
piqued, infilled that he had made a fair agreement ;
and mentioned the money, which he had advanced,
as a proof ; but finding that the duke of Albany was
in the intereft of Douglafs, (whofe daughter ac-
cordingly married Rothefay) he gave up the point,
knd demanded his depofit money. As Albany re-
fufed to return it, he vowed revenge; and, re-
nouncing his homage and fervice to Robert, he
repaired to England, and fpirited up Henry the 4th
againft his countrymen.
The Englifh monarch, who fince his
I400» acceffion, teems to have had an eye to
the independency of Scotland, counte-
nanced the revenge of March ; and, under pretence
of being lord paramount of Scotland, invaded that
kingdom ; as well to right the earl of March (whofe
eftates had been feized t>y Douglafs) as to affert his
own fupremacy. He entered Scotland with a vaft
Force, having a fleet attending to fupply it with pro-
vifions. He oehaved at firft with lenity, in hopes to
draw* the Scots to his ftandard; but, not fucceeding
to his wifh, and the duke of Rothefay, who was
full of fire and fpirit, and was then at Edinburg
cattle, offering to decide all difputes,by fingle com-
bat with him ; he declined the challenge, but com-
mencing hoftilities, laid fiege to the cattle. Ro-
thefay's brave defence, together with the infurrec-
tion of Owen Glendour in Wales, obliged Henry
to raife the fiege, and conclude a truce with the
Scots for two years. Thus, though Henry gained no
honour, except by his generous behavour to fuch as
were not under arms, the duke of Albany loft a
great deal j for as he kept back the royal army from
the attiftance of his nephew, he has been ftrongly
Fufpected of having defired his death, in order to
pave the way to defigns which he had ambitioufly
formed of fucceeding to the throne himfelf. His
future conduit feents to confirm this fufpicion \ for
foon
k
ROBERT III. 7j
x>on after, complaining to the king of the duke's
iebaucheries, Robert ordered him to be arretted,
indfor a time confined in the caftle of Falkr
land ; where, fhortly after his commitment, Albany
[tarved him to death. It is (aid, that his life waf
ittiferably lengthened out by a woman, who, how*
ever, with a good intention, let him fuck the milk
from her breafts. How guilty foever this unhappy
prince might; be, as to the crimes alledged agairuj
him, nothing can fcxcufe the cruelty of his uncle,
to whofe ambition, the vulgar univerfally believe,,
be fell a martyr. ' *
The earl of March, who had been diflatisfied
with the truce, now that it was ended, ft wed up
the Englifh again. The Scots, apprifcd.of his in-
tentions, determined to be before-hand with hhn £
and the earl of Douglas met him, at the head of
a large. body of EnglUh forces, on Homeldon Hill.
Here the Scots were fo galled by the£nglifli archers., •
that, ih'fpite of all the efforts of Douglas, and of
fir John Swinton, who, with a chofen party* charged
the enemy fword iii hand, they wfcre totally defeated ;
Douglas himfelf, who received five wounds, and
loft an'eye, being, with feveral other perfons of dif*
tin&ion, taken prifoner.
* Henry ordered lord March n6t to difpofe of hte
prifoners, till he faw them ; when, being made ac-
quainted with the amazing valour of lord Douglas,
he is faid to have difmifled him without f ranfom,
and the others on very trifling fines, In'fhort, the
difturbances in his own kingdom now ftrongly in-
clined him to a peace with the Scots, efp^cially as
it was reported thaf Richard the 2d, his p^edecef-
/or, wasftill living in that kingdom. This jftsgort,
though groundlefs, haftened the conclufion of a
truce till 1405. In the mean time, king Jiobert
became acquainted with the tragical end of hisfon,
the duke of Rothefay 5 but as the regent's power
was above the reach of punifhment, the old king
E could'
■ " Digitized by GoOgle
7* New History o* SCOTLAND.
could only prevent the facrifice of his other fen, by
/ending him into France. The veflel, in which he
failed, was met by an Englifh privateer, off Flam-
i>orough Head 5 the captain of which, as the truce
*vas juft then expired, took and carried her to Lon-
don, and Henry confined the young prince and hi$
•retinue in the Tower ; deftroying by this a&ion*
the character for generofity, which the Scots them*
telves had always hitherto beftowed on him.
King Robert was no fooner informed of his fon's
captivity, than (perhaps imagining it to be a fcheme
of Albany his orother,) he was feized with fuch
agony of grief, that he became immediately fpeech-
Jefs, and died in three days afterwards, on the 29th
of March 1405. Robert, in his youth, had been
remarkably han€fome ; and he is allowed to have
pofleffed the virtues and abilities of a private man
and a chriftian ; but fcarcely any qualification which
is requifite in a fovereign.
Scotland was interdicted by pope i
Church* Boniface in this century, becauft
Robert Bruce refufed to make peace
with the Engliih : however, upon an humble re-
monftrance to his holinefs, figiied by the nobility
and clergy, the interdiction was foon releafed ; a£
ter which* the only thing remarkable is, that the.
biihops, wbofe eftates, at their deceafe, had always
been at the king's difpofal, now obtained the liberty
.of leaving their effects to whom they might thinlf
proper; and if they happened to die iriteftate,
they became, like thofe of die laity, the property or
the neareft relation*
J A M E S I.
The young James, as foon as his
1405* father's death was known, was de-
clared king, by an aflembly of the
ftates^ which, at the fame time, appointed, or ra-
ther continued, the duke of Albany regent, till he
Jhould be releafed from bis captivity.
Henry. ^
' Digitized by L,OOgle
J A M E S I, 75
Henry treated his royal prifoner with much re-
fped ; and the regent was fo far from defiring hfs
fovereign's enlargement, that, without any efforts
for his releafe, he concluded a truce with England
till 1409- But neither the generofity, (if it may
be fo called,) of Henry, nor the power of Albany,
could prevent the Scots from murmuring ; and it
feems, that during the truce, they committed T£-
*vend irregularities, which Henry had the prudence
to overlook. As the truce approached to an cnd p
they grew exceedingly clamorous ; and immediately
on its expiration, a party feized the caftle of Jed-
burgh, (which the Enghfti had garrifoned fince the
battle of Durham) and laid it in ruins. The re-
gent, perceiving that the people were bent on war,
and concluding that it would be^*as unfafer as im-
poffible for him to check them, prepared to mutter
an army, under the command of the earl of March,
who now had forfaken the Englrfh and had beeri*
reftored to his eflates.
The Scots, however, were diverted fronrmarch-
ing Into England, by ah infurre&ion of Donald,
lord of the Ifles (a title of very indefinite fignifica-
tion) who had quarrelled with the regent, con*
cerning his right to an eftate. Donald, receiving
intimation that Henry of England would efpoufe
•hrs caufe, feized the lands in difpute, and levied a
confiderable force, in order to maintain them.
The regent fent Thomas, earl of Mar,
againft the rebel lord, who, after an 1410.
obftinate1tru<jglej was defeated at Har-
!aw. Donald, on this defeat, fued for pardon j
and on refigning all claim to the eftates in queftion,
and again Twearing fealty to the crown of Scotland,
obtained it. At the clofe of this expedition, the
fire of the Scots being in feme meafure abated, the
regent had the addrefs, without diflatisfying the
people, to conclude a frefh truce with the Englifh
till 1415-.
E z Henry
76 New History of SCOTLAND.
Henry the 4th dying in 141 3, the Scots had great
expectations of their fovereign's enlargement ; but
Henry the 5th, on the contrary, confined James
pretty clofely at Windfor; and, without liften-
ing to any propofals of ranfom, prepared to invade
France. Here, whilft Henry was reaping never-
fading laurels, the duke of Albany was at his wits
cncl tor hinder the Scots from taking the advantage
of his abfence from England, to releafe their king 4
but the duke's ambition, and political fhifts, were
put an end to by his death in 1420 ; and it muft.be
owned, that (notwithstanding his perfonal vices,
whilft regent) he left the kingdom in a very flourifh-
ing condition.
The ftates immediately appointed his fon, Mur-
doch, his fucceffor, who not having the ambition,
(nor the abilities) of his father, entered heartily
into his matter's Service. Henry the 5th had ima-
gined, that while. James was a prifoner in England,
the Scots would not affift the French 5 and though
this was pretty much the cafe, during the late re-
gency ; yet now, both out of refentment, and to
preferve their faith with a people, who, notwith-
standing, had always ufed them ungratefully, they
proved an excellent ally ; though not the combine^
force of Scots and Frenchmen could ftop the victo-
rious Henry, who, however, was unfortunately cut
off by a fever in the midft of his conquefts*
His fucceffor, Henry the 6th, (or rather
I 4 22, n j s counsellors) being uneafy at this ftrong
attachment of the Scots to the intei^ft of France,
gave ear to propofals for James's liberty ; and it was
agreed, that he -Should enjoy his crown, on condi-
tion, " That the Scot^ withdrew their affiftance
from the French ; and that they paid 40,000 /. for
the expence of his maintenance." Thefe condi-
tions being agreed to, the commiflioners of both
nations concluded a feven years truce j twelve
hoftages of the principal nooility were given fot
the
J A M E S I. fj
:he performance of articles ; and James, as foon
is the treaty was concluded, having married Joan,
:he earl of Somerfet's daughter, returned in great
"plendour to his country ; together with his con-
'ort, (whofe fortune ftruck off 10,000 /. of the debt
yf England^ and was crowned at Scone, on the ift
3f May. ' ' -
Hitherto the hiftory of Scotland has
worn' an appearance almoft wholly mar- 1424.
fcial. Wars with England, and ftrong
diflentions among an active, jealous, and powerful
nobility, prevented the increafe of internal police.
And though duke Robert had, in fome degree, at-
tended to it, during the long truces ; the weaknefs
of his fon, had, on James's arrival, left no traces
of it behind. On the contrary, it feems, that he
found Scotland in the utmoft diforder ; his nobles
acting like independent princes, and every where,
either opprefling or mifguiding his people. As
James was determined to reform his kingdom, he
was too wife and' too bold a prince not to begin
with his nobility. He made a general law againft
leagues and combinations, and then called the late
regent to account for his mal-adminiftration. And
though hiftorians have not been able to difcover
the particular crimes, with which that noble-
man, and his two fons, were charged ; it appears,
that they were fufficiently flagrant to condemn them ;
for they were ail three beheaded* purfuant to a
ftntence of parliament. The execution of thefe^
three great men ftruck the reft with terror ; and they
promifed faithfully to adhere to feveral wife ftatutes
and laws, which James had caufed to be enacted ;
whilft the forfeiture of the dukes eftates added con-
fiderably to the king's revenues.
He then vifited the county of Invernefs,*
the inhabitants of which were particular- 1426.
ly barbarous ; confidering rapine and vio-
lence to be law, and bloodfhed and murder as mat-
E 3 ters
Digitized by GoOgle
78 New History or SCOTLAND.
iers of courfe. . James, who knew that rough mea~
lures would have little effect on men, accuftomed,
as. thefe were, to hardfhips and flaughter, invited the
chieftains to the caftle ; where he made them ac-
quainted with the nature of his laws ; which he
ordered hot only to be obferved by themfelves, but
by thofe under them ; for whom, he told them,
they, in a great meafure, muft be anfwerable. At
the fame time, in order to fhew his authority, he
executed three of them ; againft whom, their mifera-
ble vaffals had made heavy complaints. One of
thefe cruel free-booters was Duff, a man remarkably
Wanton in his barbarity : He had ihod a poor wo-
man with iron, like a horfe, for repining at his
cruelties ; and' then whipping her out of the town,
bid her feek redrefs from the king. James hearing
the flory, fhod Duff in like manner, and after hav-
ing had hint flogged three times round the caftle,
hung him in chains. *
Alexander, earlofRofc, was a leading man in
this barbarous county of Inverness. Some call him
lord of the Btes ; however, he was fo powerful,
that James, to keep well with him, had winked at
feVeral crimes ; and by affability and a&s of kind-
nefs, endeavoured to make him his friend. The
earl, it feems, promifed fair; but James had no
fooner left Invernefs, than he grew rebellious, and
at the head of the clans, Hatton and Cameron, at-
tacked the caftle, which the kinj* had garrifoned*
James, mocked at his difilmulation, and enraged
at his ingratitude, offered a price for his head ;
when Rofs, not thinking himfelf fafe, even amongft
his own troops, quitted them; and fkulking about
from place to place, endeavoured to get to Ireland.
But fo great was the /earch after him, that, not
being able to effeft his efcape, nor, by theintereft*
of his friends, to procure a pardon, he determined
to throw himfelf at the king's feet, and hazard his
<Jemcncy. Accordingly, as well by way of dif-
guife,
Digitized by GoOgle
JAMES I. j$
guiie, as to excite companion, he, by fome means
or other, procured an old black rug, wrapped up in
which, he appeared before the king and queen, at
Holyrood-Chapel, during the time of divine fer-
vicc His wretched plight, and moving addrefs*
interefting the queen in his favour, (he prevailed with
the king to fpare his life ; and James, to prevent
his doing further mifchief, threw him into prifon,
where he remained till his death.
The king, from the univerfal expreffion of hi*
people's love, reigning in the utmoft tranquility,
became now the proteSor and encourager of learn-
ing and arts. He had received an excellent educa-
tion whilft he was in England, where he became
perfonally acquainted with Gower and Chaucer ;
and was himfelf a thorough judge, as well as no
mean compofer, of poetry and mufic. And though
the univerfity of St. Andrew was eftabliihed in the
former reign, in 141 1, yet figuabbles between the
monks, and the inattention of the regent, having
{tinted the growth of fcience, James, by taking that
fcminary under his patronage, may not improperly
be conudered as its founder. He not only rewarded
Lnduftry and merit, in the fine arts, l>ut, what is of
infinitely more importance, in agriculture, trade, and
manufactures. By thefe means, his court became,
the receptacle of men of genius, and the whole king-
dom afiumed a new face ; for he had introduced a
better ftile of archite&ure ; had regulated weights
and meafurcs, and the wages of labouring men -,
befides, eftablifhing ferries and inns for the eafeand
convenience of travelling. In a word, this excel-
lent king omitted nothing which he imagined might
yiy way contribute to die intended reformation ^
and to prevent the growth of luxury and expence,
be ena&ed fumptuary laws, which exprefly prohi-
bited any but his principal nobility from wearing
gold or filver lace, or valuable furs \ but in refpe&
, E.4 *<*
d by Google
So New History of SCOTLAND,
to diet, he encouraged that kind which moft con-
duced to the improvement of agriculture.
James, thus bufied himfelf till 1435 ; and the
truce with England having been prolonged till that
time, ambaffadours now arrived from that nation
with offers of perpetual peace. Lord Scroop, we
are told, had orders to propofe a marriage between
his mafter, Henry the 6th, and the princefs of
Scotland. He was, beftdes, impowered to refign.
the caftles of Roxburgh and Berwick, of which
the Englifh were then in pofieffion. James, at the
head of his parliament, at Perth, received the En-
flifh ambafladors ; and as there was likewife a
rench ambaflador prefent, who reprefented the
antient league of the Scots and the French in a very
ftrong light, great debates enfued. The king, who
though it may be eafily perceived by his* retrench^
ing the too great power of his barons, that he bad :
a great idea of prerogative, referred this affair t<x
his people, who were of opinion that, confident:
with his engagements to France, he could not em-
brace the proffers of England. Scroop and the
other Englifh lords were, therefore, politely dilf-
mifTed. The Englifh, on their, return, being ac-
quainted with the ill fuccefs of the embafly, wete
extremely ex'afperated 5 and more fo, when they af-
terwards underftood what indeed was really the cafe,
that James, in confequence of an application from
France, had determined to beftow his daughter on
the dauphin ; and that the princefs of Scotland w»
then actually fetting out, with a grand retinue, in or-
der to the celebration of her nuptials. The Englifh
immediately fitted outa fquadron, with a view to in-
tercept the princefs $ who, by the weftern ooafr,
got fafe to Rochelle, whilft the Englifh, engaging
the Caftile fleet equipped for the Scotch, were
defeated.
Both nations were now in arms : the Scots undet
the earl of AJ»gus 4 ami the Englifh under lord
Northuin-
J A. At E ® h f *r
Northumberland. The armies encountering each
other, on the ioth of September 1436, at a place
called P.opperdenj viftory, after much wavering,
declared for the former. The next year, James,
determined to take the field in perfon, having me-
ditated the fieges of Roxburgh and Berwick. He
was lying before the formed, at the head of a vaft
atony,, when the queen, greatly fatigued, overtook
him, with the unwelcome tidings of a confpiracy
being formed againft his life* He was fome time
in, doubt, whether to reje& her intelligence as a
groundlefs report, or whether to credit the difagree-
able news., as authentic. It was, however, a cer-
tain truth ; and the hprrid defign received birth from
the following circumftances.
The earl of March, for reafons which the reader
Ijas been made acquainted with, had forfworn his
allegiance, and fought againft his country; not-
•withftanding which, Robert, the regent, on the earl's*
repentance, had pardoned and reftored him to his
eftates. J^mes, who had maintained, that it was
in thebreaft of a king only to excufe treafon, hav-
ing lately declared that pardon to be void, had de-
prived the earl of his title, and affixed his lands to
the crown, by an a&, declaring the pardons and
grants of the late regents of no etfeft. Now, though
there were but few, who had needed a parden
from the regents, there were many great men who
held confiderable eftates by no other grant than
theirs.' An a&, therefore, like this, could ^iot fail
of being highly difpleafing 5 for though the king
had not greatly enforced the act, yet having made
a precedent, and continuing daily, by propofing
at militia, and other politic maxims, to leflen the
power of his barons^ they were in continual fear
of being deprived of their p offeffions and impor-
tance. The earl of Athol, who imagined that
he fhould be one of the firft in that cafe, deter-
milled, at a proper opportunity, to deftroy the
E 5 king,
Digitized by CjOOQlC
S* Niw History or SCOTLAND*
king, that lie, and the reft, might preferve their
eftates; This was the ftate of affairs on the queen's
arrival; but it does not appear that fhe was ac-
quainted with particulars ; fince the king, on her
information, difbanded his army (in which, -whe-
ther he-a&ed with fpirk and prudence, is a quef-
tion for the reader) and retired to the Dominican
convent near Perth, in order privately to afcertain
the confpirators.
Athol, fearing to be difcovered, made hafte to
execute his purpofes; and having bribed admit-
tance into the convent, he, together with Robert,
his grandfon, and his kinfman Graham, planted
themfelves one night in the Jobby of the king's
anti-chamber, James was at fupper with his queen,
and thinking himfelf fufficiently fecure, had retained
no body-guard, fo that on the outer doors being
opened by Straton the cup-bearer, they were pre-
pared to rufh in. He made a ftand againft them,
calling out treafon ! treafon ! which alarming thofe
who were within, a young lady, the queen's at-
tendant, ran immediately to fatten the door ; but not
readily finding the bar, ihe boldly thruft her arm
into the ftaple inftead of it. In an inftant, how-
ever, having difpatched Straton, her arm was
broken; and the wretches, falling on the king, he
expired under thirty wounds. Thus fell this excel-
lent prince, in ,1437, in the 44th year of his age,
and the 13th of his reign.
He was below the middle fize, but yet excelled in
martial and robuft exercifes. His mental vigour has
been already recounted in his life. His manners and
politics were too elevated for the people whom he go-
verned ; for had his fubjepts been properly civilized,
they muft infallibly have been happy under his go-
vernment, and revered him for his iultice, generofity,
and uncommon abilities. But the introdu&ion of
faxes, (in order at firft to pay his captive-monev in
Digitized by GoOgle
J A U E S II. ; Sj
England) and his ftrong efforts to break the ariftocra-
tical connexion, a rude people, and a jealous, power-
fill nobility, could not brook. However, though
his maxims were in general difagreeable, his fub-r
jecfts feem to have been fo far from defiring hi*
death, that they made ufe of every method to de-
ted and apprehend the perpetrators of it. They
were all three difcovered j and feparately fuffered
death, under the moil excruciating torture. Gra-
Jiam was fo abandoned a wretch, that being alked
how he could lift his hand againft a king, he pro-
tefted he loved fin fo well, that fhould the Almighty
forgive and allow him a place in heaven, he muft
languifh to be with the Devil.
J A M E S II.
As this prince was but feven years of
3ge when he afcended the throne, it was 1437.
thought neceflary to appoint a proper per-
fon to the management of affairs, during his mi-
nority. The earl of Douglas, the greateft noble-
man in Scotland, was accordingly constituted lieu-
tenant-gei^ral; fir William Creichton, chancellor,
and fir Alexander Levingfton, the keeper of the
young king's perfon; who were all to aft under the
uire&ion of parliament.
A truce with the Engliih, till May 1447, hav-
ing been agreed on before the late king's murther,
it was now ratified by the ftates ; who appeared
unanimous for the welfare of their country. But
Douglas dying, matters took a different turn. For
the parliament then throwing the whole power of
government into the hands of the two furvivors,
Levingfton to be military and Creichton civil go-
vernor, and refufing^a (hare of it to the earl's fon^
that young nobleman, full of ambition, but void
of prudence, witl^brew inunediately from court* a$d
retiring
Digitized by ,G00gle
84 New History of SCOTLAND.
retiring amongft his vaffals, refufed fubmiffion t<*
the joint-minifters. Thefe, inftead of taking mea-
sures to humble young Douglas, grew jealous of
each other's power, and at laft quarrelled. Creich-*
ton, who is faid to have been the abler man, got poflef-
iion of the king's perfon, which he confined in the
caftle of Edinburg. Levingfton, in the ftrongeft
light, reprefented this outrage to the queen-mother $
by whofe contrivance he regained her fon, packed
Hi a cloaths-cheft.
The two minifters were now ripe for open de-
fiance ; but the earl of Douglas having, by his
example, taught many others to rebel, neceflky
conftrained them to unite. On the 2d of Auguift
1440, they therefore called a parliament j which
voted that, on the notice of any rebellion, ^(laugh-
ter, burning, robbery ;"• the tranfgreffors fliould be .
punifhed, and the injured redrefled. This, as the
reader may conjecture, was ' principally intended
.agamff Douglas y who now marched about with
feldom Iefs than rooo horfe in : his train, and aded
like an independent prince. But Creichton, afraid
to ufe force againft this nobleman, determined, as
a ftatefman, to make ufe of his proper weapons,
diffimulation and artifice. He fent to the earl a
letter, which invited hint to take the lead in all
public affairs. The bait took ; Creichton met him
in his way up ; and ufhering him, his brother,
and their friend fir Malcolm Fleming, witti much
ceremony, into Edinburg caftle, a fplendid en-
tertainment was provided. Towards the end of the
Feaft there was placed before them a bullVhead j
which, in thofe times, being the fignal of inftant
death, they fprang from the banquet, and attempted
to fave themfelves. Their efforts, however, were
in vain ; for being in a moment furrounded, they
Were tied hand and foot, dragged into a brick court,
and immediately beheaded. This, cruel piece of
ipolicy was executed on the 24th of November y but
hOW-
Digitized by GoOgle J
JAMES .Hit g£
'However unjuftiSable it may appear, it produced
good order and tranquillity in Scotland till 1443.
James was now fourteen years old, and pofleC*
fing fenfe, fpirit, and refolution, determined no
longer to be under the guidance of his tutors. He;
demanded the caftle of Stirling from Levingfton,
and that of Edinburg from Creichton j but as they
refufed to refign them till hefliould be at full age, ho
called a parliament, and proclaimed them traitors.
The whole kingdom, on this fenterice, was in a
blaze. Creichton put himfelf at the head of a
ftrong body, and over-ran the eftates of the earl of
Douglas, whom the king, detefting^the manner of
his predeeeflbr's murther, had taken into favour.
This nobleman, notwithftanding his feemirtg fub-
mimon to James, was exceeding arfibitious and felf-
. important. He ordered his military tenants to re-
taliate on Creichton, whilfl? he was contriving' with
the earls of Crawford and Rofe to re-eftablifli the
feudal power, which James, as well as his father,
defired to abolifl*. The eart thought that fir Wil-
liam Creichton would be a good acquisition-; he
therefore perfuaded the king to pardon him $ and he
was foen after reftored to his office of chancellor.
Both he and the earl hated Levingfton^ whom now
they caufed to be imprifoned, and his eldeft fon, a
man of the greateft accomplishments, they got be-
headed.
The truce with England being now at an end,,
the Englift, under the command of the earl of
Northumberland, paffed Solway 'Frith, and ra-
vaged the country. The Scots, headed by the#rt
of Drummond, met and defeated them at Sack, hy
which they became poflfeffed of a prodigious bootrvv
This battle produced the following un-
common agreement; "-That though a 1449. *
truce fliould achialfy take place, yet no
: Ji^cife ^tfrae for ite duration fhould be fixed on ; out 1
f^Hher nation eh&fe to rrconuranee hoftiHties^
Jt " Jfc _ . Digitized byGOGgle . i
86 New History of SCOTLAND.
180 days previous warning was to be given." The
following year a treaty of marriage having been
concluded, between the king, and Mary the daugh-
ter of the duke of Guelders j the princefs, with a
grand retinue, landed in Scotland, and was married
and crowned at Holyrood-houfe in July.
The king being now of age, began to confider
Pouglas as a formidable nobleman. He had received
intimation of his feudal intrigues, and therefore de-
termined to curtail his exorbitant power. This the
earl could not bear j befides, the king had releafed
Levingfton whom he now favoured, and efteemed
Creichton more than ever ; fo that Douglas, fee-
ing that he could not be the firft man at court, re-
tired difcontentedly to his eftates. Here he imi-
tated the former earl in his manner of behaviour.
He renewed a league with the lords Hamilton, Mur-
ray, Rofs, and others, who all fwore to maintain their
antient rights. In fhort, he did all in his power
to difturb the peace of the kingdom ; it was ru-
moured, that he even afpired to the throne. The
king, though he hated the ingratitude of the earl,
(who, if he did not wifh to wear the crown, was
contriving to make it contemptible,) and faw his
conduct with concern 5 yet, being unwilling to
involve his people in a civil war, fent a meilage,
with a fafe-conduct to him, defiring an interview
at Stirling ; intending, by the moft friendly ar-
guments, to prevail on him to drop his connec-
tions and return to his duty. When they met, he
exprefied great duty towards his fovereign, but
ftoiidyrefufed-todiffolve the confederacy; on which
the king was fo exafperated, that he fwore he
fhould. Drawing his dagger, in atranfport of rage,
"this (hall break the league," fays he to the earl,
and plunged it in his heart. This bloody bufinef*
was tranfac*ted in February 1452 ; and to judge
from appearances, at firft fight, the chancellor
Creichton, f&ms to have been its contriver -, but
- it
•
J A M E S II. if
it is more likely, that the murther was unpremedi-
tated, and the effeft of the king's inftant refent-
merit on finding the earl fo deaf to his reafons, and
fo provoking to his authority. It muft be remarked,
however, that no one was privy to the conference,
fo that James could tell his own ftory -, but how far,
fuppofing every thing to be fad, the earl's behaviour
might juftify the king's conduft, is a difquifition
iubmitted to the reader.
The death of Douglas was no fooner known,
than it produced the civil war which the king had
fought to prevent. Thd earl's adherents attacked
• the cattle, where the king kept on the defenlive.
All was anarchy and confufion : Neutrality was no
where permitted, fo that unhappy Scotland bled at
every pore. The rebels were fo ftrong, that till
the ting was joined by the earl of Huntley, who had
* muttered the Leflies, Ogilvies, Grants, Irwins, and
Forbefles, he was unable to give them battle. Thus
reinforced, James attacked them, on the 18th of
May, near Brechin, and gaining a vidtory, it fixed
the crown, which before had tottered, on his head.
The inftruments of agriculture having been ufed in
war, it is no wonder that a famine mould enfuc
The Scots fuffered extremely on that account dur-
ing the winter.
In the following (pring, die earl of Crawford,
who was the chief man in the Douglafean fadrion,
having fubmitted to James, and been pardoned by
him, rebellion retired to her native Highlands ; and
the earl of Douglas, in expiation of his offence,
propofed to undertake a pilgrimage. James fub-
mitted his condu6t in this rebellion to bifhop Ken-
nedy, and Creichton in particular, and his parlia-
ment in general; and it is remarkable, that fo for-
midable a rebellion fhould fo foon and fo eafihy be
fuelled; whiqh feems to evince that the Scotch
Lowlands were at that period almoft unanimoufty
loyal, and' fubmiffivc to civil government The
pil*
*
88. New History of SCOTLAND.
pilgrimage, undertaken by the qarl of Douglafs*;
was, in fa£t, only to carry off his fifter-in-law^
commonly called the Fair Maid of Galloway,. with>
whom he had fallen defperately in love. He
terminated his pilgrimage in England, where he
fwore allegiance to king Henry, who, fome fay,,
allowed him 500/. a year, till hefhould recover his.
eftates from king James, and thus (a practice not;
uncommon) he made piety the cloak of ' hifs treafoa,
and his luft. The latter, notwithstanding, was
very foon difappointed ; for the Fair Maid diflikingt
his perfon and manners, eloped from him,, and re-*
turned to Scotland. James granted her part of the*
Douglas eftate, and affixed the remainder to his^
crown.
The royal revenues not being deemed >
I 455* funicient, a parliament met on the 4th o£
Auguft, in which the members feem tor
have forgotten their feudal barbarifm, and to haves,
entertained ideas of true liberty. To fupport ther
dignity of the crown, they annexed to it-caiUes;
and lands in different parts of the kingdom for his>
majetty's refidence. Thefe were always to be royal
pofreffions > for they enacted that the king fliould
not alienate them, without the full concurrence
of parliament. If any king fhould be tempted un-
lawfully to difpofj? of part of them to, fome fa-
vourite j in th^tcafe, the fucceeding king had power
to retake them, without a procejiof law* with all,
the profits and revenues from the time, when fuch.
lands were alienated. They likewife enaxSed, that
rio office fhould be hereditary, except the guardian
of the° Marches. Thefe and feveral other ^a&s,
tending to the Tecurity of the frontiers, were not
revokable even by the king ; whofe pojyer;, a^d that
Qf his fucceffars,, was firiply eftablifhed ; and, at the
fame time, to prevent a$uie, 4$ firmly bounded,, by
this patriotic parliament.
During
Digitized by GoOgle
JAMES II. 8$
' During thefe tranfactions, the reftlefs Douglas*
having maintained a fecret correfpondence with
Rofs, lord of the Ifles, excited that nobleman to
rebellion. Rofs, accordingly declared himfelf in-
dependent of the crown of bcotland ; and, in March
1 456, he raifed an army, and committed the greateft
barbarities in Murray and Invernefs ; but not being
aflifted by Douglas, as he had expected, he fued
for pardon ; and, through the interceifion of his
countefs, who was a great favourite with the king,
obtained it.
James was now in a ftate of felicity : he regu-
lated his coin by the Englifh ftandard ; and, like
his predeceilbr ? enacted Sumptuary laws. The vul-
gar were only 9x1 holidays permitted to wear cloaths
that were of a red, blue, 6r a green colour ; coarfe
grey being appointed for working days ; and none
but the prime nobility and prelates were permitted
to wearfcarlet cloth and furs. He forbad the di-
yerfioh of foot-ball and goff, and ordered butts and
bow«-marks in every panfh, and that the male in**
habitants, between die years of 12- and 52, fhould
every Sunday practice mooting. He was very fe-
vere in punifhing beggars, who were not under 14*
6r or above 70 years of age; and as the Scots
about this time, it feems, were much addicted toi
piracy, the number of failors was limited.
While James was thus bufying himfelf for four
years ; thedifputes between the houfes of York and*
trancafter had put England into a flame. It is a ftrong
proof of his moderation, that he did not take
advantage of thefe commotions. He remained
neuter in the affair, till Henry's queen, after fuf-
fering feveral defeats, applied to James for pro-
tection and afliftance, offering tp give up Douglas*
(though he had been of great fervice to her) amf
in cafe, through the aid of James, fhe mould prove
victorious, to aflign over to him Berwick and Nor-
thumberland. James had no great reafon to favour
th£
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9<r New History of SCOTLAND.
tjie houfeof Lancafter; nor did he do it till lie
found that the duke of York (who it feems had al-
fo made him great offers) was guilty of double-
dealing. He then determined to beiiege Berwick
and Roxburgh, and afterwards to enter England in
behalf of Henry, or rather of his queen. Great
preparations were made for this expedition, in which
the king was excellently ferved by his fubje&s.-
&ofs, lord of the Ifles, joined him with a ftrong
tody of Highlanders 5 and to extenuate the rebel-
lion which he had been guilty of, he offered always,
to fuftain the firft {hock of the enemy. James,
however, not being willing to truft him with fuch a
jfcparate command, ftationed him near his pavillion.
The earl of Huntley,* ever loyal, had alfo joined him,
and now the king laid cldfe fiege to Roxburgh. He
had a fine train of artillery ; and commanding a ge-
neral difcharge of it, he would needs ftand by and
-fee that his orders were punctually performed. % This
curiofity proved fatal to him j for a cannon, which
he flood clofe to, burft in the explofion, and killed
Urn on the fpot. This fad accident befel him on
the 3d of Auguft 14609 in the 30th year of his age >
and the 23d of his reign.
James the 2d was robuft, tall, and a&ive : he
Jiad a jed fpot on his cheek, by which he acquired*
the name of Fiery-face. He was brave, juft, and
temperate ; but he is {aid to have been paflionate ;
of which indeed, his murthering Douglas is a,
proof. His deportment, though martial, was vaftly
engaging, familiar, and infinuating. As his father
Jiad begun to (hake the pillars of Ariftocracy, he
poffefled abilities that, had he lived, muft effectu-
ally have overturned them; the feudal fyftem,
which, at that time, governed all Europe, would
then have been firft fubvexted in Scotland,
JAMES
d by Google
( 9* )
JAMES HI.
The queen, on the news of the king's
death, immediately carried her .fon, who 1460*
was then but feven years old, to Kelfo ;
where he was crowned James the 3d. She then
returned to the fiege, which was carried on fo
much in earneli, that the caftle furrendered for bag
and baggage. She next demolifhed Wark, and
then returning to Edinburg, called a parliament;
which, after fome altercation, conftituted her the
king's tutrix. This was in the year 1461, when
the difpute in England terminated in favour of the
houfe of York, which obliged Henry and his queen
and their only fon to fly to Edinburg, where they,,
were kindly received. The Lancaitrians, however,
were frill a ftrong party, poffefling many caftles ; in
particular, Berwick, which Henry prefented as a.
debt of gratitude to the Scots, who accordingly
took poffeffion.
The earl of Douglas had now fided with the
other party 5 and had the addrefs to excite Rof%
lord of the Ifles, once more to rebellion. He re-
newed his cruelties with his claim of independency,
arid fwore to aflift Edward of England, as well
againft his own country as the houfe of Lancaften
This nobleman, in the midft of his barbarities,,
died, and it is faid, raving mad ; but his
fdn renewing the rebellion, Edward grow- 1464.
ing very popular, and the queen-regent
being dead, the ftates of Scotland, for the fecurity
of the kingdom, concluded a truce with England
till 15 1 p, in which Douglas and Rofs, as fubjects
of England were included : But as this truce was
on condition, that James fhould in no (hape, aflift
Henry or the houfe of Lancafter ; that weak prince,
retiring in difguife, was discovered in Lancafhire,
by
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92 New History of SCOTLAND.
by fir Edward Talbot, who hurrying him to Lon-
don, he was, by the exulting Edward, imprifoned
in the Tower. The queen, however, and her
young fon got fafe into r ranee.
The care of James's petfon, and education had
been committed to Kennedy, bifhop of St. Andrews,
a man of the greateft worth and learning ; who,
dying, the ambitious family of JBoyds contrived to
get the young monarch- from lord Kennedy, the
bifhop's brother. They fucceeded at an hunting
match 3 and the king was 4 fo pleafed with his change
of fituation, that he created the head of the Boyds,
earl of Arran; gave his own filter in marriage to
him, and appointed him his proxy for his own al-
liance with the daughter of Chriftian, king of Den-
mark and Norway, which, to conciliate fome dis-
putes concerning the Ebrides, or Weftern Ifles, had
been agreed on. The royal nuptials were folem-
nized in July; James confidering Shetland and the
Grcades as his queen's dowry.
During the abfence of the earl of Ar-
1469.. ran,, the Boyds. had loft much ground;
and fo uncertain is the favour of a young
king, that the earl, though he brought a blooming ".
bride to his matter's arms, was received with the
inoft mortifying coolnefs. He faw the ftorm which
was gathering over his head ; and he determined to
provide againft the fhock. He had fcarcely returned ;
to Denmark,* before he was impeached in parlia-
ment ; his wife, by the moft barbarous defporifm,
divorced; and himfelf (though he had procure^ an
act, dated the 25th of October 1466, juftifying
his conduct, in feizing the king,) condemned and
outlawed. Lord Hamilton being now the king's
favourite, the countefs of Arran was compelled to
marry him, fome fay even before the earl's death,
which happened at Antwerp in 147 1. Thefe facts,
palliated as they have been by fome writers, muf
ever remain injurious to the memory of James;*
^ J ' wha
-v
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JAMES III. jft
who devoting himfelf to ftudies unworthy of a king,
very foon difregarded his nobility, and chofe him-
felf intimates out of the very dregs of even a foreign
people. Cockran, a mafpn, Rogers, a mufician,
Xorfifan, a fencing-maft|r, Leonard a fmith, and
Hommil a taylor, were his infeparable compa,-
nions. He thought himfelf under conftraint in
the company of his nobles ; and continuing this
courfe of life for feveral- years, he took infinite
pains to undo all which his father and his grand-
father had done, refpe&ihg the power of the
barons ; and to work his own ruin* However, the
parliament ftill confulted the good of the nation, by
making many wife ftatutes ; the moft material of
which, was an acl: concerning the fishery. Certain
lords were ordered to provide bufles, nets, and other
neceflaries, for that purpofe. And had this a£fc been
well attended to, the Dutch had ftill, very proba-
bly, been inconfiderable ; but on the contrary, ip.
a great meafure, by this very article, they enriched
themfelves to a degree capable of difputing^ the fo?-
vereignty of the ocean ; whilft the Scotch nobility
contended about matters of little honour and no
profit. % . ] •
James now became infatuated by judi-
cial aftrology, and an abfurd belief of 1477*
witchcraft. Thus pofleffed with the bi-<
gotry of an enthufiaft, he put to death his own
brother, the earl of Mar, on the fole authority of
an old woman, who pretended that he had a defign
on his life. The duke of Albany, his other bro-
ther, apprehenfive of a fimilar fate, fled into France,
and from thence into England, where, entertaining
a defignto dethrone his brother, he promiled Ed-
ward the 4th that he would fwear fealty and do ho?»
mage to him, if, by his affiftance, he could pofli^
bly obtain the kingdom, Edward inflantly con-
curred with his defign : he ardently longed to fe^
Ciimj^Qfland, and therefore he broke 'the truce,
d^f^^d Albany with forces* under the comrnani
' T - ■. *>Digitfeed by . ;
94 New History of SCOTLAND.
of the duke of Gloucefter, who laid fiege tx> »
wick. dS
James raifed an army to oppo&^ftte
1482. Englifh; but the chiefs, who commanded
in it, thought that they had then the b(#k
Opportunity of crufhing the king s unworthy favott-
rites. They accordingly feized them in the kirtg^s
pavilion, at the camp of Lauder. Cockran thfe
mafon, whom he had created earl of Mar, Rogers
the mufician, whom he had knighted, Tdrrffan
the fencing-mailer, and four others of the fame
clafs, k without any form of trial, were hung up di-
rectly in his preience, over a bridge, and he made
no efforts to fave them. After the nobility had
offered this grateful facrifice, to their country, of
odious favourites, inftead of proceeding againrc the
enemy, they drew off in feparate divifions, and
the poor deferted James retired, with grief, to his
caftle at Edinburg.
Mean time, the two dukes, leaving 4000 men
before Berwick, advanced with the main body to
Edinburg. As they met with no oppofitioii in their
•march, they committed no mifchief. This mo-
deration was. probably owing to Albany, who,
not finding his countrymen fo hearty in his defigns
as he hacT expefted, now pretended that he only
fought aififtance from the Englifh, for the recovery
of his eftates, without having any views detrimen-
tal to his brother. The ftates, therefore, (for the
king feems at this time to have been a mere cypher)
reftored him to them ; and as the Englifh infiftcd
on being paid for their trouble, with the caftle of
Berwick, it was accordingly ceded to them.
Albany now grew exceedingly popular ; and
James, who began in the following year to reco-
ver his authority, made him his prime minifter.
But the duke beginning to tamper afrefh with fome
of the nobility, who, notwithftanding the meannefs
and imprudence of the king, continued his frjends,
grew fufpeaed. Guilt and fear,, which are always
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J A M E S III. 9 $
Infeparable companions, made him haftily retire to
liis caftle at Dunbar; from whence he fled, fend
€>nce more fought the protection and affiftance of
theEnglifli.
Richard received him kindly ; but his own do*
meftic concerns incapacitated him from affording any
other aid than 500 horfe ; with which, and what
few volunteers he and the earl of Douglas (wh*
was ftill a prifoner in England) could jointly ob-
tain, he propofed to plunder Lochabar fair.
The old earl attended him in this fcanda- 1484/
lous expedition. They thought to Jiave fur-
prifed the market-place, but they were difappointed ;
for the towns people, having been informed of their
intended vifit, and that the main obje& was plun*
der, had afiembled the borderers, who being well
armed and difciplined, fought, defeated them, and
what ftill added to their renown, made captive that
old rebel, Douglas.
Kirkpatrick, by whom he had been taken, car-
ried him in triumph to Edinburgh The earl ap»
peared before his lung with a fallen pride, and even
turned his back on him ; nevertheless, James, wifh
a generofity, which fome have thought faulty and
ill-timed, pardoned his crimes, and allowed him to
retire to the abby of Lindores, where he had res
ceived his education, and where he foon after died.
As for the duke of Albany, having in this defeat,
loft his friend Douglas, and being afterwards un-
able to procure any Englifh affiftance, he ended hit
rdays in France.
Had James now purfued wife meafures, he might
have lived on good terms with hU nobility, and
been an happy monarch : But ftill continuing his
unpopular conduct, his nobles, piqued at his dis-
regard of them, formed a dangerous confederacy*.
On the firft news of it, he {hut himfelf up in Stir-
ling caftle, forbidding, on pain of death, any per-
Jon, in arms, to approach it.
The
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The king's eldeft fon, then about fif-
1487. teen years of age, headed the confpirators ;
fo that the extent of their defign was then
no longer a fecret. James was given to. underftand*
that he might, if he chofe, refign his crown, to his
fon, without bloodfhed. This he refufed \ on the
contrary, he raifed forces by proclamation, in or*
*der to fubdue the rebels. Both parties met at Ban-
jiockburn, a field in which the great Bruce had gained
the greateft renown ; but it was now to be ltained
with patriotic blood. The lords Erfkine, Mon-
teith, Graham, Maxwell, Ruthwen, Crawford, and
Lindfay, commanded in the royal army, which at-
tacked the confederate lords with great fpirit ; but
they were loon repulfed, and, in a very ftiort time,
totally defeated. The king loft his fmall portion
of courage at the firft charge; and turning tail,
galloped out of the field on full fpeed. He had
hardly rode two miles ere his horfe threw him, and
-he was taken up half dead by a miller, who carried
him to his hut. Having recovered his fenfes, he
/defired: a prieft ; and incautioufly letting the miller
imto theiecret of his rank, he ran out calling for
a prieft to confefs the king. Borthwick,' who, with
lord Gray, was purfuing him, juft then paffed by,
** 1 1 am a prieft, fays he, lead me to his majefty."
As foon as he faw James, he afked him if he thought
himfelf very dangeroufly wounded; and on his an-
fwering in the 4aegative, he ftabbed him to the
fc*art. _ j: k :'. >|
Thus he fell on the nth of June, 1488, in the
35th yefer of his age, ahd the 29th of his' reign.
He was* certainly a weak, mean, fc jealous, and
credulous prince.;; though many errors of goveriv-
irient, into' which he fell, may be attributed to his
sraiit^b£ a fettled; stud regular education: this
<tefe£lj ihowever, might 1 ihave been fupplied by
able t co»nfelk#s ; but he hated his nobility, and
they effected his ruin. As a man, he. was juft,
4 merci-
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JAMES IV. tf
oerciful, and remarkably handfome. His juftice ii
ndeed queftioned by fome, for uttering coin, which,
or its exceeding bafenefs, was called Black Money,
iut as foon as he found it was difagreeable to his
>eople, it was called in. He had a good tafte for
xchite&ure, which fhewed itfelf in the many edi-
ices that he erected.
J A M E S IV. £
The late king's death was for fome C^
ime unknown : As foon as the news of 1488* £>
t reached the ears of young James, he is ~~
faid to have difcovered much contrition and filial
'egard. It is pretty certain, that' he did not take S.
irms againft his father from principle; though at _
the fame time, the diftance, at which he had been H
kept by him, (even to the ignorance of his perfon}* £
made him, young as he was, the more readily fide : : ~
with the confederate lords ; whofeonly aim in gain- z£
ing him to their party was merely to fanction their ^
actions. The power which had firft perfuaded, ' r w
now governed him ; it is no wonder, therefore, , C
that the regicide was pardoned ; that every meafure, £j
which had been taken againft his late majefty was t=
vindicated, and that all the loyal nobles, who had en- V'
joyed places of profit, were fufpended. C "'
Our young monarch's grief foon fubfided ; and :
as he difcovered, as well towards his people, as in .
himfelf, an excellent difpofition, it was fucceeded
by tranquility throughout the kingdom, which
for feveral years had been unknown. Parties,
which are the bane and difgrace of a nation, coa-
lefced ; and the parliament, which met in 1493, was
wholly intent upon what is now only a fecondary
consideration,-- the fervice of their country. Obfer-
ving the neglect of the late law, refpeding the
fifhery, they e^a6ted, that all maritime towns mould
f provide
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98 Njew HistoHy of SCOTLAND.
provide veffels of at leaft twenty tons burthen for.
that fervice ; and that idle perfons (hould be prefled
to man them. This aft was followed by federal
others relative to their trade and civil policy : and
in regard to their religion, they held the pope's au-
thority fo cheap, as to pafs a vote, that none but
cardinals, and fuch as were natives of Scotland,
fhould be confidered as his legates*
When James came of age, he made a
1494. circuit round his dominions, that he
might difcover and redrefs his people's
grievances. He found that the poor of his fubje£ts
were too frequently plundered of their cattle, by
their more powerful neighbours $ but he foon made
fuch wife regulations in this refpect, that (to ufe
his own expreffion) " the bulrufh guarded the
cow." Agriculture he every where encouraged ;
and rightly confidered it as the great fource of a
iiation s eafe, opulence, and glory : and in fine,
icarcely any thing was omitted, which, at the
fame time, that it promote*! the welfare of his peo-
f)le, infured his own happinefs, and circulated his
ame. There cannot be a greater proof of James's
good character, than that fo fhrewd, cautious, and
parfimonious a monarch as Henry the 7th of Eng-
land, (hould invite him to be his fon-in-law. This
match, which would have been the moft illuftrious
of any in Europe, was prevented by the arrival of
Perkin Warbeck.
This Perkin was fet up by the dutchefs of Bur-
gundy, to perfonate one of Edward the 4th's chil-
dren ; both of whom were generally thought to be
murthered by Richard the 3d. Perkin had at
one time a very ftrong party in England, who
really believed him to be the identical duke of York.
He was a young man, near about James's own
age, fenfible and engaging ; and the Scortifh mo-
narch, who had a great deal of the knight-errant in
his difpofition, confidering him as a diilreffed prince^
: * T not
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JAMES IV. 99
lot only gave him a very hofpitable reception, and
fci's own coufin in marriage, but entered fo warmly
into his caufe, as to endeavour at placing him on
&he throne of England.
In this action of James, the princi-
pal, if not the fole motive, was glory : 1497.
He railed a formidable army, with which, ^
iccompanied by the pretender, he entered Nor- f"
Cumberland. Here a manifefto was publifhed cr
igainft Henry as a traitor, a tyrant, and a murderer ; J Z£
md all loyal fubjecls were invited to join their **=
lawful prince ; but not a man of the leaft confe- C^
^uence repaired to his ftandard 3 fo that James, £-.£
tfho now began to think that he had been impofed '™
>n, after ravaging the country, returned with a
:onfiderable booty to his dominions. Henry being S^
it this time engaged in quelling a very powerful _.
rebellion, was in no condition to refent the affront j Hj
md avarice, which was his ruling paffion, made £J
aim afterwards eafily brook it. He pretended, in- .-„:•:
ieed, to his parliament, that he would purfue the *2[ :
Icing of Scots with fire and fword, and by that feint x -^
mriched his coffers with the grant of a confider- r~
ible fubfidy ; at the fame time, as a falvo for his i5
lonour, he procured the Spanifh ambafladour (who ££
aras treating with Henry on a marriage between Fer- pi
linand's daughter and the prince of Wales) to pre- r**
rail on James to difmifs Perkin, and follicit an *"''
iccommodation. James needed little entreaty to
tart with Perkin, whom he now believed to be the .
bn of a profelyte Jew of Tournay ; and as he had
>nly undertaken the expedition on his account,, the
Spaniih minifter found little difficulty in his ne—
jotiation. A feven-years truce with England was
iccordingly patched up ; and Perkin, whom James
arould not betray, was allowed a fhip to convey
lim to the Continent ; but determining to try his
Fate once more in England, he landed in Cornwall,
«ras taken prifoner at Taunton, and executed at-
F a London
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London as a traitor, in November' 1499. ^ u ^
Henry, flxuck with the uncommon beauty of his
wife, and finding that fhe was not pregnant, made *
her a lady of his queen's bed-chamber, and affigned
her a fuitable revenue.
The difturbances in England being now over,
Fox, bifhop of Durham, was ordered to hint to
James that an alliance with the king of England
would be advantageous : James now thought fo
too, and therefore he demanded Henry's daughter in
form. Margaret was accordingly given
1500. to him, with a portion of 30,000 /. though
being then but ten years old, fhe was not
to enter Scotland till 1503, nor was her fortune to
be paid till after confummation. This negotiation,
which gave birth to the future union, paved the
way to a prefent peace between the two crowns,,
which was ratified on the 4th of January J502, on
the following conditions; " That fuch powers as
did not chufe to be comprehended, might, in cafe
of a future war with them, be affifted by either,
without a breach of it. That it might be rendered,
null, mould both parties fo chufe, if the princefs.
Margaret died before the confummation of her
marriage ; but if not, the peace fhould be ratified
by the pope, and the party, who then firft broke
it, fuffer excommunication." Henry, in this treaty,,
called himfelf king of France as well as of Eng-
land ; but it is memorable to obferve, that the for-
mer title was obliged to be { truck out, before James
would ratify the conditions ; a compliment to the,
French, which that nation, in her conduct towards
the Scots, had never merited.
A peace with England being thus concluded,
James aflembled his parliament, which
1502. voted proper courts of juftice^all over the
Highlands, where, though moftly wanted,
they had been greatly neglecled : fo that there was
now hardly a fpot in Scotland, where the inhabi-
tants
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J A M E S IV. 101
tants could not immediately appeal for redrefs. Pre^
meditated, as well as accidental murther, was ex-
ceedingly common \ the perpetrators of the for-
mer were therefore ordered to be punifhed by death
without remiffion. Smuggling being likewife very
cuftomary, fevere laws wereena&ed againft it ; and
all tranfmarine fuits were to be fettled by arbitration.
The parliament, which then confifted of three eftates,
viz. great barons, lefler barons, and clergy, next be-
gan its own regulation. In the feudal fyftem, the
lefs was always accountable to the greater. If the
baron had vaflals under him, the king exacted the fer*-
vice of the baron, and originally attendance in parlia-
ment, which formerly was called the king's court,
was a point of duty. Accordingly, every baron ?
great or fmall, was obliged to attend the king's Aifn-
mdns till the time of Robert Bruce; who, finding
that it gave the latter trouble and uneafinefs,difpe'nfed
with their attendance. James the ift ena&ed this
into a law, obliging them, howe/er, to fend a cer-
tain number of men, whom theyibeft refpected, to
reprefent them all. But the attendance of the greater
barons was on no pretence to bet omitted. Before
the feign of this great prince (James the i ft,) par-
liaments were feldom convened, but for the pur-
pofe of war ; for the great barons, having till that
time, more or lefs, all the Scots under them in
vaflalage, their concurrence was abfblutely jieceflary
towards the prince's carrying on a war; and in thofe
aflemblies they had little ideas of any civil debates.
They defpifed fuch talents as qualified them 'for
Civil fociety, and hated to appear in parliament,
becaufe the king fat there, in particular, as their
paramount. Tnis circumftance, till learning be-
gan to flourifh, made the great barons not only to
refufe their attendance, but even to rebel. The lef-
fer barons of courfe, neglected to attend themfelves,
or even to fend their reprefentatives : in fa&, none
F 3 chofe
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chofe to undertake the office ; Co that in the time of
James the 2d, a feat in parliament was as much
fhunned, as it is at prefent fought after. Their an-
tipathy, however, abated by degrees; though as
James the 4th complained that his boroughs were
not properly reprefented, it was ena&ed by the par-
liament then fitting, that the great councils of all
capital towns Ihould regularly, againft every meet-
ing of the fenate, chufe and fend BurgefTes, who*
together with the other barons, mould debate on
fuch ufeful ads as mould, from time to time, be
offered to their confideration, by the lords of arti-
cles, noblemen who were appointed to prepare and
bring in bills. But, notwithstanding this act, it
does not appear that they were quite regular, in
this refpect, till the reign of James the 6th.
The year following, the king, affigned th£ lands of
Etrick, Newark, March, the earldom of Monteith*
and the lordmips of Linlithgow, Down, Dunbar*
Ivlethuen, and Stirling, which were about the value
of 2000/. fterling per annum, for his queen's join-
ture.
Every neceflary preparation was made for the
delivery and reception of the royal bride. Her fa-
ther, Henry, on his part, made a ftrong effort to
become magnificent j but miftaking the character,
like moft mifers, when they meditate a fpurt of
generofity, he fubfHtuted tawdry pomp for real
Jplendor, and in lieu of magnificence, prodigality.
On the 16th of June, the young queen fat out
from Richmond in Surry, in company with her
father, and attended by his prime nobility. The
king faw her to his mother's feat at Cpllewefton,
after which, he refigned her to the ^arls of Surry
and Northumberland, who conducted her to the
borders of Scotland, where /he was received with
tendemefs by his majefty, and the next day, in the
moft fuperb and elegant manner eicorted to Edin-
burgh It is needlefs to fay that for feveral weeks
"* there
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JAMES IV. ioj
here were the greateft rejoicings : tilts andtourna-
nents, the feftivities of thofe times, were perform-
ed in the day, and mafquerade dances by night;
n ihort, nothing was omitted to give the young
jueen a favourable idea of her change, and to con-
ribute to her happinefs.
James was now at the height of felicity : He was
n perfect peace abroad; allied to a monarch, if
lot the greateft, perhaps the richeft in the world ;
n the moft friendly correfpondence with his nobles,^
>vho repaid his confidence with affection and duty ;
ind, confeious of no crimes, he was happy in him-
elf. His ftudy was his people's profperity j and
literature and the fine arts were his amufements. In
[507, he chaftifed the Netherlanders for plundering
iiis merchantmen, by vifiting them with a fqua-
Iron under command of the famous Barton,
Henry the 8th afcending the throne of England
m the aemife of his father in 1509, James con-
gratulated his brother-in-law on the occafion, and
:hey lived in perfect amity together for four years,
luring which time, James had greatly augmented
lis navy, and had built (more indeed for (hew than
fervice) a fliip, 250 feet from ftem to ftern, nd
j.o within her fides, and which (feys one) were 10
■bet thick : {he feems to have been the greateft vef-
el then in Europe ; was called the St. Michael,
and Barton commanded her.
The moft difagreeable part of James's reign is
flow to be mentioned ; his unhappy difference with
England, which brought about his ruin. The
reader has remarked, that it was cuftomary when-
rver the Englifh invaded France, for the Scots, as
jhe ally of the latter, to make a diverfion into Eng-
land in their favour. Henry was at this time at war
mth that nation; and James, whofe notions of
honour and punctilio ran exceedingly high, was at-
tacked on his weak fide, both by the French mini-
tters, then at his court, and his own clergy (who,
F 4 * as
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io+ New History of SCOTLAND.
as Buchanan fays, were ufed to the fingering of
French gold) by arguments and perfuafions, not a
little forcible on the mind of a young high-fpirited
prince ; who, though he had been fo long at peace,
delighted in war, and was eager to obtain fame,
Whilfl James was wavering in his refolution, fome
difputes with Henry, concerning their refpe&ive
flapping, determined him to break with that mo-
narch, and to fide with his enemy. It appears, that
the Englifh king had expected that this would be the
cafe, and therefore had prepared himfelf againft it \
to that when James ftormed Berwick and Norham,
they made a moft vigorous refiftance. However,
he took the latter $ and then, notwithstanding the
earneft difluafions of his wife, he proceeded on his
march into England at the head of 50,000 men,
amongft whom were all his principal nobility, who
were as paffionately fond of glory as their fovereign.
James was flopped in his career by the earl
of Surry, at the head of 26,000 choice troops, near
Floddon ; where James and his gallant army y
by the fuperior conduit of Surry, a mailer in the
art of war, were difordered and dejfeated. James,
fcorning to furvive his difgrace, rufhed into the
thickeft of the enemy and was flain ; and moft of
the nobi'ity, having the fame fentiment, fhared the
fama fate.
This memorable defeat, which fome have attri-
buted to the treachery of the earl of Hume, who
drew off unaccountably with his divifion, hap-
pened on the 9th of September 15 13. The En*
glifh, however, did not know that they had gained
a victory till the next day, when they found them-
felves matters of the field and the Scotch artillery.
Thus fell the great James, in the 40th year of his,
age and the 25th of his reign, in a battle raflily
undertaken, unfortunately conducted, and fatally
terminated. He is faid, indeed, to have been feen
after the engagement, beyond the Tweed j fo that
fome
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J A M E S IV. ips"
bme pretend he was aflaffinated by the earl of
rlume, who, according to report, had latterly been
nuch difaffedted to his perfon.
James was of a middle ftature, of a robuft make,
ind pleafing afpect: his genius was elevated and
interprifing x in manners, he was gentle, affable, po-
lite, and as a king he may be {tiled the father of his
>eople. He was flow in making a refolution* but
>nce refolved, he never receded : the too fond af-
fection of popular applaufe was his failing, and if
he had a fault, it was his immoderate devotion to
the fair fex. He maintained a literary correfpon-
dfence with the princes of his time, and wrote Latin,
in a ftile perfectly claifical. No greater proof can
be given of his zeal to promote arts and fciences,
than his introducing the i art .-of printing into his
dominions. It had been known in England ever
fince the year 147 1, though Scotland was ignorant
of it till 1509, whep the firft book. there printed
was a Breviary of the church* of Aberdeen.
In thofe days every nobleman, for the benefit of
his family and dependants, iludied \ furgery j and
James, who was himfelf an adept in that ufeful
art, ordained pupils of lefs quality, who before his
death were eftabliflied at Edinburg, into a regular
fociety. There can be no doubt, that a king of
his abilities, thus excellently difpofed^ Was ex-
tremely regretted by his fubjedts. Buchanan fays,
that he died in good time ; fince his munificence
had fo drained his exchequer, that, had he lived lon-
ger, hemuft have impofed fuch taxes, in order to
raife money, as, in all probability, would have
blackened his fame, and fullied his memory. What-
ever truth there may have been in this fuggeftion,
it is very certain, that Scotland, while an indepen-
dent kingdom, was, during his reign, at the zenith
ef her glory.
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Church.
The ecclefiaftical affairs of this century are not
very material : It may be obferved, in general, that
as Jamfes the 3d, by his indifcreet promotions, crea-
ted much difturbance ; fo the clergy, in confequence,
from being remarkable for mutual agreement and
fobriety, grew factious and encroaching ; fo that the
reformation, which, towards the clofe of this cen-
tury, began to be proje&ed, appears, if confidered
only in a political view, to have been abfolutely
neceflary.
The three univerfities of St. Andrews, Glafgow,
and Aberdeen, were founded in this century : the
firft in 1412 ; thefecond in 1457 > *ke ' a ^ m *493 :
and the tutors,— fo great was their zeal for trie pro-
pagation of fcience,— attended their refpe&ive clafles
many years gratis. m
JAMES V.
THE late king, before he under-
2513. took Us ill-advifed expedition, had
bequeathed the regency of the king-
dom, during the non-age of his fon, (an infant
of a year old) to his queen. The important office,
however, was to be taken from her on a re-mar-
riage ; and, as this was the condition of her au-
thority, it was univerfally believed that fhe- would
remain a widow. But, in a very fhort time, am-
bition had no charms, nor the intereft and peace of
the realm any weight with that youthful queen,
whofe every thought foon centered in a paffion for
the earl of Angus. . This accomplifhed young no-
bleman was chief of the houfe of Douglas, and
next to lord Hume, the moft powerful of any that
had furvitred the battle of Flodden. The afre&ion
tetween him and the queen was mutual > and love,
^ though
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J A M E S V. 107
though he feldom exerts his power in a royal breaft,
was fo impetuous, that, within the fpace of a year,
the regency was forfeited. The queen married the
earl without making her intention known, either
to the ftates of the kingdom, or to her brother
Henry, who had fhewn great tendernefs towards
her; having, inftead 6f purfuing the advantage
which the defeat of Flodden had given him over the.
Scots, generoufly recalled his troops.
* This hafty marriage put every thing "into con-
fufion : one part of the nation was for continuing
the queen ; but lord Hume, who hated the Dou-
glafes, finding likewife, that he had not intereft
lufjicient to procure the office for himfelf, deter-
mined to exert all that he had in favour of the
duke of Albany j who, chiefly through his means,
was accordingly elected regent. Albany was the
fon of that duke, who was brother to James the 3d.
and had taken fhelter if! France, after his defeat at
Lochmaben. The circumftance of his being a
Frenchman was favourable to his election ; but far
from being fo to the intereft of Scotland ; and he
landed at Dumbarton, on the 18th of May, 1515,
with the moft fuperficial knowledge of her language
and constitution.
The duke was a man of fenfe : and that he
might err as little as poffible in his regency,
through ignorance, he pitched updn Hepburn,
prior of St. Andrews, for his inftructor. The
prior, though an able politician, was jealous and
revengeful : in giving Albany the neceflary infor-
mation, he was alfo too crafty to let flip fo fair an
opportunity of malicioufly mingling his perfonal re-
fentments. As Hume, the lord chamberlain, had
difgufted him, he therefore in the characters, which
he gave the duke, of the principal men in the
realm, drew a moft odious picture of that noble-
man; nor did he exhibit a flattering portrait of
Angus. Thus prepoffefled, the regent behaved
with
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io8 New History of SCOTLAND.
with uncommon referve to thefe noblemen ; -whofe
favour and intereft ought rather to have been cour-
ted by a conducl diametrically oppofite. Such an
impolitic demeanour could not but excite furmifes.
Should the king's brother die, Albany was pre-
sumptive heir; it was therefore intimated to the
queen, that fhe would do well to fly with her two
babes to England -, and by putting them under her
brother's protection, be affured of their fafety.
This advice, to one who mortally hated the regent,
was extremely agreeable j and flie accordingly pre-
pared for her flight. She was not, however, fo fe-
cret in her preparations, but that her intention was
difcovered. In confequence of which, the infants
were taken from her, at the fame ftme, that, to filence
malevolent infinuations, they were delivered to the
care of three noblemen, who were defervedly be-
loved by the public. The queen, thus diverted of
her children, was then informed that fhe might
profecute her journey ; and the regent was before-
hand with her, in acquainting Henry with his con-
duct, which he fully juftified.
Henry, though he admitted his reafons, was, on
many accounts, averfe to his regency ; it is there-
fore thought, that he fecretly ftimulated the earl of
Hume, who, finding himfelf to be fufpe&ed, had
taken arms, and was ravaging the borders.
The king's brother dying in January 151 6, Hen-
ry began really to be alarmed : he fent minifters to
Scotland with offers of a lafting peace, on condi-
tion that the regent was removed ; but though that
condition was not complied with, he thought it
prudent to conclude a truce with the ftates of the
kingdom, to the feaft of St. Andrew, in 1520.
Hume, who now became fenfible that the regent
a&ed with integrity, difbanded his forces, and was
received into favour. But Hepburn devoted to de-
ftru&ion both him and his brother William, whom
he reprefcuted to the regent as planning fchemes
againft
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JAMES V. 10$
againft his government, and the nation's peace.
Thefe could not be proved, but as the regent*
dreaded their power, he was eafily led to gratify the
prior's vengeance, and perhaps his own defire, by
bringing againft them a charge more feafible. The
Humes were therefore cited for the murther of the
late king, for non-performance of their duty at
JFlodden, and for unnatural crimes with each other*
Though the firft as well as the laft article of the
charge was unfupported by fufficient evidence, yet,
as they were not able to acquit themfelves of the
other, to the fatisfa&ion of the court, they were
condemned to die, and the fentence of beheading
was accordingly executed on the 12th of O&ober*
Hume was "warden of the Marches, as well as lord
chamberlain ; the former, which was the moft con-
fiderable poft in the kingdom, the regent conferred
on his irttimate friend fir Andrew D'Arcy, a French-* .
man, commonly called the chevalier de la Beaute*
And the duke having thu* fettled every thing to
his fatisfa&ion, he left his power chiefly in the
hands of D'Arcy, and determined to retire for about
fix months, into France.
The Scots now no longer contained their refent-
ment : they in general difapproved of* the fentence
inflicted on the Humes j they were exafperated
againft D'Arcy; and the prefence of the queen,;
who had left England before the regent had arrived
in France, rendered them, to the laft degree, vin-
diclive.
A party, conducted by fir George Dou-
glafs, and fir David Hume, on the 20th 1517*
of September, waylaid La Beaute. His
attendants being all cut off, he attempted to make
his efcape : unfortunately for him, his horfe plunged,
into a bog, which leaving him the prey of his ene»-
mies, they greedily tore him in pieces. Douglafs*
with a favage fury, feized his head, and fixing it
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no % New History of SCOTLAND.
by the hair to his faddle-brow, rode in triumph to
Dunbar, and there ftuck it on the battlements.
Though the ftates did not chufe to defend this
a&ion, they took very little cognizance of it. In
order to keep well with the French, a fliew of pro*
fecution was entered againft Hume and Douglafs ;
and that they might likewife remain independent of
the Englifh, the poft, which D'Arcy had held,
was given to the earl of Arran. On the other hand,
this preference difpleafed the earl of Angus 5 though
as he only murmured his uneafinefs, the peace of
the kingdom was not difturbed till the year 1520 ;
when Angus, ftimulate4 (as it is generally thought)
by the Englifh, aflembled his military tenants,
and profefled open enmity to Arran. Both parties
were ftrong and violent ; and their difputes became ,
at laft fo general, that the whole nation was in
danger of being engaged either on the one fide or
the other.
Thefe commotions rendered the regent's prefence
indifpenfibly neceflary : it would have been conve-
nient much fooner, but the intrigues of Henry, or
rather of .his. artful minifter Wolley, had been fuf-
ficiently powerful to keep him in t ranee. On the
19th of November, 1521, however, he arrived in
Scotland, which he found the feat of confufion.
Summoning a parliament, on the 26th of January
following, he was determined to be fevere on the earl
of Angus ; though, on the regent's arrival, he had
di (banded his forces, and was difpofed for peace.
He made diligent fearch after the murtherers of his
friend D'Arcy, but they had taken fan&uary in
England. And though he confidered Angus in a
great meafure acceflary ; yet he could not obtain a
greater punifliment for that nobleman than a year's
banifhment into France.
As a fentence like this was no way difagreeable
to Angus, he rather chofe to comply with it, than
be the occafion of farther diforder. The queen's
violent
"V,
JAMES V. xix
violent paffion for him had long fince not only eva-
porated, but he had now become fo much the ob-
ject of her hatred, that fhe was purfuing every me-
thod to procure herfelf a divorce. She had even
applied to the regent for afliftance in this refpect ;
and this circumftance, with many additions, hav-
ing been carried to the ears of her brother Henry,
that monarch grew more and more exafperated
againft the regent, whom he now confidered as
having alienated her from his intereft, and inveigled
into his own.
Francis king of France, it feems, had promis-
ed Henry that the^ regent fliould never return to
Scotland ; and the king of England therefore made
a . breach of this promife, one reafon for a war
againft Francis; which having been agitated by
Wolfey, he was now obliged to profecute. Ab-
stracted from their attachment to Albany, Henry
had no antipathy to the Scots ; his nephew was ex-
ceedingly dear to him ; but as he faw the regent
now acting altogether like a vice-roy of France,
inftead of what he ought to have been, The pro-
tector of an independant people,— He let the Scots
know that they muft either remove him, or expofe
themfelves to his refentment. The Scots vindicated
the actions of their regent, and confidered this de-
mand of Henry as an attack on their liberty j at a
time, when, in fact, they were little better than
the tools of France. They peremptorily refufed to.
difmifs the duke ; and let Henry know, that though
hoftilities were far from agreeable to them, they
could defend themfelves whenever he chofe to at-
tack them.
Immediately on the difmiffion of the Englifh am-
balTadors, the regent went over to France ; where he
made the king acquainted with the fentiments and
refolution of the Scotch parliament; and as Francis
did not queftion but that Henry would make good
his threats, the regent was dispatched back again
with
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^v
112 New History of SCOTLAND.
with about 4000 troops (which were all that Fran-
cis could then fpare) and with particular injunc-
tions, not to make peace with England, without
his concurrence. Henry had received notice of the
regent's voyage; and believing that he ihould be
ai>le to prevent his return, he had agreed to a year's
truce with the Scots. But though Henry made ufe
of every ftratagem to intercept the regent, he landed
in Scotland, with his troops, in Auguft 1523.
On his arrival at Edinburg, he found the nobili-
ty extremely factious 5 and the queen at the head
of a ftrong party in favour of the Englifh. The
truce being nearly expired, he fummoned a parlia-
ment to debate' on the necefTary meafures to be
taken with Henry ; whofe generofity of fpirit had
even led him, not only to offer a lafting peace with
the Scots ; but, at the fame time, to propofe a treaty
of marriage between their king and his eldeft daugh-
ter. If the reader is captivated with Henry's ge-
nerofity, in making fuch a propofition to the Scots,
in what light muft he confider the regent, who
prevailed with them to reject it ! Such an alliance
was not agreeable, it feems, to Francis ; as Albany,
therefore, was his vice-roy, he made ufe of the moft
powerful arguments againfr. it $ and as he was too
good a ftatefman not to know that gold would
prove his beft logic, bribery, with its torrent of
eloquence, bore down every oppofition.
% The Scots having thus refufed an alliance, which
would have made their king the undoubted heir of
the Englifh crown, the regent naturally enough
concluded, that he fhould find no difficulty in per-
fuading them to invade England. But here he was
miftaken 5 for though he led them to the borders,
though he reprefented the Englifli as their very
worft enemies, though he ftormed and foothed,
flattered and bribed, they flatly refufed to crofs the
Tweed. The fatal field of rlodden, which gave
the fevereft blow that the feudal fyltem ever felt,
had
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J - A M £ S V. 113
Iiad not yet been forgotten by them ; and they knew
that the earl of Surry, at the head of 40,060 men,
\vas prepared for their reception, if they had ad-
vanced far into England. Henry had ordered the
earl not to attack the Scots ; and the regent was
under the mortifying neceffity of leading his troops
back again,
During the winter, the queen's party, by the
artifice of Wolfey, had fo far increafed, that the
regent had, in great meafure, loft his influence.
It was publickly declared, that the king was now
of an age fit to take the reins of government into his
own hands ; and Albany, in all probability, now
began to confider, that when that event took place,
his majefty might requite him after the manner of
his predeceflbr. He determined therefore to take
care of himfelf in time ; and though he was too-
much of a Frenchman formally to abdicate his re*
gency, he fet fail for France, on the 14th of May*
1524, with a refolution never to return to' Scot*
land; and, perhaps, it had been happy, for that na*
tion, had he made fuch a refolve much {boner, or
rather had {he never known his government.
Henry, on this agreeable news, fent the earl of
Angus (whom he had before invited from his exile)
into Scotland ; in order to ftrengthen the Englifli
intereft, by a reconciliation with his wife. But he
found the queen's hatred too deeply rooted; and as
ihe had connected herfelf, in politics, with the earl
of Arran, Angus found that he was excluded from
any {hare in the adminiftration. As Angus well
knew that Henry fufpefted Arran to be ,in the
French intereft, he made no fcruple to form a
party againft him ; and he was foon joined by the
earls of Lenox and Argyle. The queen, in the
mean time, as well to prevent her brother's receiv-
ing any impreflions to her difadvantage, as to mani-»
feft the integrity of the earl of Arran ; fent the
earl of Cailils to defire a lafting peace with him,
to-
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Hi New History of SCOTLAND.
together with an alliance agreeable to his former
"propofal. But Henry, on the Scots refufal, had
promifed his daughter to the emperor Charles the-
5th of Germany; however, that he might have
time to confider on the part which he mould ad:,
he concluded a truce with Scotland for three years.
Before the expiration of this truce, the earl of
Angus had found means to alienate "the young king
from his mother, and to gain his intire confidence.
As for the queen, fhe had obtained a divorce from
her bufband, and was now his bittereft enemy ; but
as the king, her fon, had created him his chancel-
lor, he v/as above her reach. It appears, however,
that Angus very foon grew intoxicated with power,
and not only committed the greateft excefies him-
felf, but connived at them in others. He had in-
ticed the king to Falkland, where, though he trea-
ted him with all imaginable refpeft, though he pro-
moted every exercife and pleafure by day, and pan-
dered for him by night, the young monarch, fur-,
rounded, as he was, by flattery and diffipation,
rightly confidered himfelf as little better than his
prifoner. It is more than probable likewife, that
lie had become acquainted with the earl's mifufe
of power j and this confederation might have beer*
a farther incitement to his efcape from Falkland to
his mother at Stirling, which he therefore effe&ed
in June 1527, during the abfence of Angus, and
in the habit of a groom; for which fome have re-
diculoufly taxed him with meannefs.
The king's arrival at Stirling was no fooner
known, than numbers of the nobility, who hated
Angus, repaired to that caftle, to aflift his majefty,
in cafe a frem attempt fhpuld be made to retake his
perfon. Their zeal and forefight was timely : for
Angus, immediately, on receiving news of the
king's flight, aflembled 2000 troops, and was
marching, with all hafte, tov/ards Stirling. But
the lords Maxwell and Lochinvar, with the like
number
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J A M E S V. 115
aurober of men, had taken pofleffion of the town*
in behalf of their fovereign j .and upon the approach
;>f the earl, they repulfed him with the.greateft re-
blution and loyalty. The king then, by the ad*
vice of his nobles, indicted the earl of Angus, his.
brother George Douglas, his uncle Archibald Dou-
glafs, and Alexander Drurnmond, together with
(ome of their chief dependents, for treafon. The
Douglafes, unable to ftand their ground, retired
into England for refuge. As the king was in pof-
feffion of their eftates, he winked at their obtain-
ing an afylum in England ; and the truce being now
expired, he concluded another with his uncle for
five years, in which time both parties were to con-
fider on a lafting peace.
During this truce, the king affembled 8000 forces,
ind proceeded to the flcirts of his kingdom, that he
Plight punifh the licentious borderers : of thefe, the
mpft daring feems to have been one John Arm-
ftrongof Gilnoek-Hall. This fellow, who had a
number of vaffals under his command, lived in the
greateft ftate and affluence, by levying contribu-
tions on the Englifh. The king ordered him to
appear by fuch a day, and anfwer for his conduih
Armftrong thinking that the king would rather ap-
prove than condemn him ; and proud at the fame
time, to difplay his magnificence, he appeared be-
fore his fovereign attended by 26 gentlemen on
horfeback, richly caparifoned, as his body-guard.
|ames, aftonifhed at his infolence, let him know
that -he had prefumed to exercife a power, which
belonged only to majefty, and then ordered him to
be hung up on the fpot. Having ftrengthened his
authority by a few more examples, he left the bor-
ders of his kingdom fomewhat civilized j and re-
turning to Edinburg, he difmiffed his forces.
The king, from this time, grew pro-
digiously attached to his clergy ; and re- 1532.
membering how he had been ufed by
Angus,
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Hi New History of SCOTLAND.
Angus, and confidering the reft of his nobility, as
having the fame will, if ever they fhould have the
fame power ; he employed his prelates to aflift him
in a fcheme which he had formed, of becoming in-
dependent of his nobles. The clergy, it mult be
obferved, were dependent on him ; for every king of
Scotland had the fole right of nomination to vacant
bifliopricks and abbeys ; and therefore he was pret-
ty certain that they would heartily concur in his
defign. They would be of the greateft fervice to
him he well knew; for befides their private in-
fluence, they were reckoned (as has been obferved)
one of the three eftates of parliament ; and as they
regularly returned members, they often occafioned
a majority. Cardinal Beatoun, archbifhop of
St. Andrews, WaST felefted from among them, to
be his bofom friend ; he was a man of genius, and
rewarded the king's confidence by the moft impor-
tant fervices.
The king then proceeded to repair his fortifica-
tions, and to furnifh his magazines. And thinking
it now no t longer neceffary to diffemble his inten-
tions, he firft treated hts nobles with apparent cold-»
nefs 5 removed them foon after, by degrees, from
places of profit and trint ; and then, effectually to
mortify them, the vacant pofts were beftowed on
ecclefiaftics. Though the nobility faw full well
the tendency of the king's fchemes ; though they
burned with refentment at receiving a treatment,
which they confidered as ungrateful, and therefore
the more cruel ; yet the vigilant Beatoun prevented
any from being bold enough to head a confpiracy.
They bore the king's frowns, however, with great
impatience j and though they were obliged to fub-
mit, at that time, to his encroachments, they de-
termined to embrace the firft opportunity of affert-
ing their privileges.
The king's attachment to his clergy,
1535. at this juncture, was extremely unfor-
tunate. His uncle," wMo, for well-known
'•y reafons
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J A M E S V. n ?
reafons, had difclaimed the pope's authority, de-r
fired an interview with James at York. He had
on the jith of May, in the foregoing year, con*
eluded a peace between England and Scotland,,
during the lives of their refpective fovereigns; and
for a year after the deceafe of him who fhould go
firft; and the emperor of Germany, the king of
France, the king of the Romans* and the duke of
Guelders were comprehended as allies. Now though
James was defirous of an injtimate connection with
Henry, and therefore had no objection to the pro-*
pof^d, interview : he yet determined to be governed
by his clergy : and as they loudly inveighed agamft
Henry, as an arch heretic, againfl whom the pope
had publiflied five feparate bulls; as they declared,
that their king could not. be fafely trufted in his
hands, and made ufe of every argument that malice
could invent, in order to blacken the character of
Henry j and exhaufted all their rhetoric,, to dif-
fuade him from going, James* who was a bigotted
catholic, approved their zeal, and declined the in-»
terview.
The evil genius of Scotland moft certainly pre-
fided in this afiembly ; for Henry had fo managed
matters with the emperor, that he (till had it in his
power, to give his daughter Mary to James j he of-
fered her, or the princefs Elizabeth, to him, and
the reafon of his defiring a meeting with hi* ne-
phew, was to confer with him concerning the re-
formation ; and to fettle matters relative to his fuc-
ceeding him. James, however,, not to fhock Henry
by a blunt denial, pretended that the pope had for-
bidden him to feta foot in England; and his holi-
nefs foon after really fent him a brief to that
effe&.
The clergy, in raptures, at having carried their
point, next advifed the king to marry <£ pimccts of
'France : and the yielding monarch, now ealily to
be perfuaded to any thing, complied with their ad-
4 vices
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li8 New History of SCOTLAND.
vice ; though the emperor Charles had offered him
the choice of two princeffes of his own houfe, of"
exquifite beauty and prodigious fortune. But the
emperor was confidered as a favourer of the refor-
mation. Francis having offered James the choice
•of either of his daughters, James determined to
take a voyage to France, in order to efpoufe the
moft agreeable; which, in his eyes, proved to be
Magdalen the eldeft daughter, and their nuptials
were accordingly celebrated there in great pomp on
the 7th of January, 1537.
Her fortune was 100,000 crowns of ♦ the iun, and
her jointure adequate to that fum. The king of
France likewife agreed to pay James 30,000 franks
during his life. But this was but a trifling addi-
tion to her fortune; for the young queen fell ill of
a fever, fhortly after her arrival in Scotland, and
died on the 22d of July.
The death of the queen was fucceeded by two
very remarkable trials. The clergy, not contented
with having driven the nobility from court, which
wasdoubtlefs as far as the king's vengeance againft
them extended; they followed them in their retire-
ments, and ftrove to draw from the elder barons
fuch words as they might be able to conftrue
into treafon. As age is cautious, the old nobles
avoided the fnare, but John Forbes, the chief of
a great family, being a young man, and therefore
kls cool and referved, fell into it.
Forbes was accordingly accufed of forming a de-
fign to murder the king, and to reftore the earl of
Angus to his eftates, and though the whole proof
of this charge centered in a few incautious words,
they were deemed fufficient evidences to bring him
to the block. Forbes was no fooner executed, than
it was whifpered to the king, that certainly the lady
Jane Douglus (who was filter to the earl of Angus
and the only one of his family then in Scotland)
mult certainly have been privy to the defign of
Forbes i
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JAMES V. ix 9
Forbes; and as fhe did not difcover it, ought con-
fequently to be confidered as his accomplice. She
was therefore forthwith apprehended j and though
[he was known to be a woman of exemplary virtue)
unacquainted with courts, and almoft ignorant of
;he name of faction ; though not the fainteft fha-<
low of a proof could be difcovered, fhe was fen-
tenced to death by her arbitrary judges (who now
met rather to condemn than to try) and the king,.
*vho might have pardoned her, had he chofen it,
;hought proper, rather to gratify an unmanly re-
venge, againft a relation to the earl of Angus, anct
iccordingly ordered her, under the pretence alfo of
being guilty of witchcraft, to be burned alive.
Soon. after thefe executions, which are moft in-
Jelible blots in this reign, the king fet on foot a
aegotiation for a marriage with Mary of Guife,
lutchefs dowager of Longueville j and though
Henry ftrove to hinder this marriage, it was, con-
cluded on ; and Mary landed in Scotland in the
rpring of the year, 1538. Hiftorians have men-
tioned many odes and orations to have been com-
pofed on tnis marriage ; one of the latter, which
was fpoken before the queen, concluded with thefe
words, u O queen, ferve God, obey your hufband,
and keep your body clean, according to God's moft
holy will and commandments. "
Though the king of England had been much
provoked by his nephew's conduct, yet he was un-
willing to break with him. And though the death
of the queen-mother (which happened foon after
her fon's marriage) muft have weakened his attach-
ment, he was ftill averfe to hostilities; and accord-
ingly, in January 1540, appointed fir Ralph Sad-
ler to be his ambaflador at the court of Scotland.
Sadler was charged with private difpatches to James,
chiefly concerning the reformation; and Henry
urged him, a fecond time, to give him an inter-
view, notwithftanding the interdict of the pope*
which
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120 New History of SCOTLAND.
which he ridiculed, and would fain have perfuadecf
his nephew alfo to defpife. He wiflied eagerly that
his nephew would imitate him, by feizing the re-
venues of all the abbies within his dominions ; and
he told him fo. James, who afterwards produced
thefe difpatches in public, declared, that he could
not, in confcience, prevail on himfelf to commit
foch a facrilegious a<&ion. But this was, indeed,
a laughable reafon for the Scotch king to give,
who had already beftowed on five of his natural
children the abbies of Kelfo, Coldingham, Mel-
rofs, Holyrood-Houfe, and St. Andrews ; the re-
venues of which, (and they nearly equalled thofe
of the crown) he poured into his exchequer, till
they mould become of age to poffefs them.
In regard to the interview, James, who had rea-
fon to expect that his uncle would quarrel with him
fliould he again refufe it, thought fit, with the ad-
vice of Beatoun, to temporife. Sadler was there-
fore ordered to return fuch an anfwer to his mafter,
as led Henry to conclude, that James would give
hfm the meeting, which he fo much defired 5 for
Henry entertained fo good an opinion of his own
abilities, that he did not doubt, if he could but
obtain an interview with his nephew, he fhould
foon be able to free him from the fuperftition of
popery, and reafon him into a reformation.
Henry accordingly went to York,
1 54 1. where he fully expected to have met
his nephew ; who, inftead of appear-
ing there, tranfmitted fuch paultry excufes, that
the king of England faw plainly, that James did
not intend to meet him at all. And as he how
heartily defpifed him, he fent -fuch a mefiage to
him from York, as cardinal Beatoun conftrued into a
declaration of war ; and it is certain, that it was at-
tended by fome fkirmifhes on the borders. Henry,
rnde< d, was not of a temper to digeft fuch an affront :
the more he reviewed the behaviour of James, the
more
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J A M E S V. m*
more was he exafpefated ; Co that in the year fol-
lowing he threatened Scotland with an invafion.
It was now that James perceived he had been
ivrong in fo violently oppreffing his nobility.
He found, that notwithftanding his clergy had of-
fered to contribute all their revenues, if the king
[hould need it, in fupport of a war with England^
(ret his nobility, and they only, mutt fight his bat-
tles, and do him the moft eflential forvices. But
the Scotch nobility a&ed, on this occafion, with the
jreateft patriotifm and generofity. Immediately on
[lis command, they aflembled their friends ; but the
Juke of Norfolk, whom Henry had ient into '
Scotland, with 20,000 (feme fay 40,000) men
iiaving proceeded no farther than York, James
propofed to his nobility to be before-hand with him
ma invade England. The nobles would by no
means clofe with this propofal ; for though they de-
clared, that they would defend their country, from
the invafions of Heiwy, or agamft any other poten-
tate ; yet they would not be inftrumental in widen-
ing a breach with the kipig of England, with whom,
they told his majefty, it was the intereft of Scot-
land to preferve peace. The king was in the moft
yzUmg fituation on their refufal. He faw that his
nobles had recovered, and were fenfible of their im-
portance ; and he was obliged to reprefs his ra<*e
being appfehenfive that they might exercife an Au-
thority, fimiJar to that which they had done in
the time of his grandfather. And indeed, fome
hiftonans report, that they had aftually refolved
to hang up fuch of the king's favourites as had
been moft inveterate againft thfcm, but that delay-
ing too long to execute their fcheme, by debating
on whom they mould facrifice, the king, by di£
banding their troops, fruftrated their defign. Scot-
land was in no danger by the army's being thus
drfbanded; for the Englifli general, we are told K
had found it impra&icable, on many accounts, to
G pro*
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\it T New History op SCOTLAND.
profecute his invafion j (o that he retired ftill far-
ther towards London.
r . James, however, was firmly bent to in-
1542. vade England \ and Beatouri undertook
* to cajole the nobles into concurrence.
?ome, . and, , chiefly lord Maxwell, unwilling to
e&a/petate th$. king ftill more againft them, agreed*
tfiough it was then November, to enter England,
l>y the Solwayy with 10,000 men.
, James, highly pleafed with this intelligence,
took the fatal resolution of conftituting Oliver Sin-
clair, a minion of his, commander in chief in that
expedition. Oliver kept his commiffion a fecret
till the Scotch troops had paffed the borders, and
advanced to the firth of Sol way, where fir Thomas
Wharton had haftily colle&ed about 500 men,
which he had pofted advantageoufly, and with
which he intended to oppofe their progrefs. Sin-
clair then read his commiflion, which (fays an
elegant hiftorian) produced an effe£t not to be paral-
lels in hiftory. Their contempt of the general,
and hatred of the king, ov^r-coming the fear of
death and the love of liberty, the whole 10,000 men,
on the example of the nobles, fubmitted to a
number fo very inferior, without ftriking a fingle
blow.
When James was made acquainted with this,
aftonifhing circumftance, he funk to the ground
with indignation and grief. He had been anxious
about the event of the expedition, and therefore
the news muft have been more mocking to him ;
and as he had violent paffions, he fell a prey to
them j for he languifhed in the moft deplorable con-
dition till the 13th of December, and then ex-
pired. Though fome are of opinion that he was 1
poifoned. .
" James, who thus died in the 30th year of his age,
was of the middle fize, fair and comely : he was un-
<Jueftionably brave, vigilant and temperate 5 but Bu-
chanan
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chanan (who knew him perfonally) ftys, that what-
ever virtues he might have, they were more than
equalled by vices. A few % days before his death,
being informed that his queen was delivered e>f &
daughter* iU It will end as it began, (fays he) tha
crown came, by a woman, and it will go by one;
many miferies approach this poor kingdom ; king
Henry will either mailer it by arms, or win it by
marriage."
The court of feffioits was founded in this reign*
„on the 7th of May, 1532.
MAR Y. ?
GRIEF and refentment had fo wholly
taken poffeffion of the foul of James, that I $42.
though he muft have been fenfible that his end wag
approaching, he had taken no one ftep towards
fettling a regency during the long minority of his
daughter, who, at hife death, ivas but eight days
old; or (a&fome fay but! feven)for. the 6ourt of Scot-
land was fo irregular, When this unfortunate prin-
cefs came into the world, that hiftorians are not
agreed as to the precife day of her birth. But
though the king had negle&ed this great point, th<*
boundlefs ambition of cardinal fieafioun inftigated
him to frame a willj by which, h£ himfelf having
been prime minifter in the late reign, now claimed
the regency. His forgery being ipeedily dete&ed,
the iniquitous and afpiring prelate was tumbled from
his towering height, and the important office of re-
gent conferred on James Hamilton, earl of Arran,
who, though not a man of the greateft abilities, was
prefumptive heir to the crown.
, The choice of this nobleman was in many re-
fpecls unhappy: he was by nature timid ; and, this
natural failing was productive of the greateft infta-
bility in his management of affairs, at a time when
Wars with England, factions at home, and, above
G z *U?
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England, in which the Scots, contrary, to the in*
clination of Henry, were comprehended, they were
determined on a war ; which being in a great mea-
fure religious, muft, in all probability, have proved
the more fierce and bloody.
The cardinal, now Scotland was at peace, began
to redouble his rage againft proteftants. The re-
formation, notwithstanding the checks which it
met with from the perfecuting fpirit of that infa-
mous prelate, every day gained ground. George
Wifhart, a man of good family and found learning,
had recommended the do&rine of the reformation*
with a meeknefs and candour which always accom-
panies true piety : his miniftry, which had beet*
moftly confined to the houfes of his friends, had
met with foch confiderable fuccefs, that Beatoun,
coniidering him as the prop of the reformation,
refolved at all events to bring him to the ftake.
And though the feeds of the reformation
1546. had now in Scotland received a parlia*
mentary fan&ion, and the regent before
his apoftacy had allowed Englifh bibles to be pub-
Jickly read, Wifhart was feized in the houfe of
oneCockburn of Ormifter; and, not to mention
* difagreeable particulars, the cardinal, by his legan-
tine authority, brought him to the fiery trial j which,
though aggravated by every circumftance, which
bigotry and barbarity could infpire, he. endured
on the ift of. March with a primitive refolution.
Beatoun beheld the execution from his caftle of
St. Andrews ; and he now confidered herefy to b«
nearly extinguifhed. He therefore gave a loofe to his
paffions, and exceeded the moft profligate of men in
the indulgence of them. He had* royal equipage y
and behaved everywhere with the moft uncontroul-
abl« infolence : But he one day fo grofly infulted
IMorman JLefley, fon of the earl of Rothes, that he
determined the cardinal's life Should appeafe his
> refenV
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MARY, 127
refentment. Accordingly Lelley, with fifteen of
his friends, gaining admittance intd his caftle, af-
ter turning out his domefties, one by> one, they
forced the door of his chamber, . .aftd found him. fit-
ting in a chair. Three or fouf of the confpirators
.were about to rufli precipitately on their vi&im, but
being reproached by Leiley for fuch a neglect of
decorum, Be very gravely addrefied himfelf > to the
cardinal, recapitulating his cruelties, and advifed
him inftantly to implore divine forgivenefs. He
then with the greateft deliberation gave him two
ftabs in the body 5 and the reft following his exam-^
pie, the wretched prelate fell a fpeedy facfifice, ex-
claiming, with his lateft breath-- 6 I am a prieiV—
After they had executed their purpofe, finding that
their intention had taken air, they admitted up-
wards of too more of their friends into the caftle,
which was now prefently furrounded by a number .
of troops, who were fent by the clergy to refcu*
their cardinal. The confpirators let thsm know
that they had come too late ; and to convince them
of it, they threw the lifelefs trunk amongft them,
T>ut of the very window from which 1 the cardinal,
but a very few weeks before, had triumphantly beV
held the tortures of the pious Wifhart.
Thus was Scotland delivered,— though by means
not juftifiable, — of the mqft powerful man in it;
who according to all report, was unhappily at the
fame time the moft bigotted, the moft -wicked,
unrelenting and cruel.
The confpirators kept pofleflion of the caftle for
five months. At laft, they were befieged in form,
by a body of French troops, under the command of
Leon Strozzi ; they then capitulated for life and
limb, and as Strozzi deemed them his prifoners,
they were accordingly, together with the cardinal's
jmmenfe treafures, tranfported into France.
G \ Tb*
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I3t8 New History or SCOTLAND.
The Englifh ifaw this affiftance from the French
with a jealous eye,: they considered it as an in-
fringement of the peace j and Henry the 8th dying
in the beginning of the year 1547, the commons of
England impowered the regent duke of Somerfet
to proceed with vigour againil the Scots, and com-
pel them to forfake the French 5 and if other means
ihould fail, to compel them Iikewife to fulfil the
alliance with England, which the regent in parlia-
ment had fo folemnly agreed upon. But though
the cardinal's death had fomewhat weakened the
French intereft, Mary of Guife, the queen-dowa-
ger, managed affairs too artfully even to let the
Scots confent to an union with England.
War therefore was mutually refolved on ; and in
the beginning of September, the duke of Somerfet
entered Scotland at the head of 18,000 men, whilft
a fleet of 60 fail of mips appeared on the coaft.
The Scots had prepared themfelves for the duke's
reception. But before matters came to an extre-
mity, Somerfet, who in his march had behaved
with the greateft lenity, publifhed a manifefto, inv
porting, " That nature had defigned the two nar
tions to be fubjecl to one prince j that {he was aflifted
by a fimilarity between the inhabitants, in language,
laws, and manners 5 and that Providence had now fa-
voured fuch an union j the Scotch crown devolving
to a female, and that of England to a male, both
of nearly the fame age ; and that if they were
"joined together in marriage, all former diitinctions,
jealouftes, and pretenfions, muft ceafe of courfe,
and the whole ifland be happy." And after urging
many other motives, equally fenfible, he concluded
by putting the Scots in mind, that the match had
already been agreed on by parliament, and had the
public faith of the nation. He did more: he fent
a private letter to the regent, offering time for ma-
ture confideration, and promifing immediately to
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r
MARY. 12 9-M-i
trithdraw'his army, on an aflurance, that the queen ;
ihould not be difpofed of to any foreign prince.
But the queen-dowager, and her party, prevailed
with the fickle regent, not limply to disregard the
duke's applications, but to treat his reafonings with
contempt. On this, both parties prepared for bat-
tle. The Englifh were encamped at Prefton-pans,
and the Scots atMuffelburg. The prote&or Somerfet,
had fecured an eminence, which not only com-
manded a communication with his fleet, but gave
him the advantage of the wind and fun. The Scots,
under all thefe difadvantages were rafh enough to
begin the attack : they aflailed the Englifh with an
ardent and irregular precipitancy, which was ftill
heightened by receiving in flank, a full fire from
the fleet. The Scots, who were armed with bucklers,
and pikes eighteen feet long, having a little re-
covered their confufion, moved in fo firm a phalanx,
that they aftually difperfed the Englifh cavalry ;
but fuch batteries of artillery were difcharged 6n
them from the fhippiftg, and the foreign fuzileers,
that they were obliged to give ground. The earl
of Angus, who had lately deferted the Englifh in-
tereft, and now commanded the Scotch van-guard,
endeavoured to fhelter his troops, in fome meafure,
by retiring towards the main body. But this mo-
tion being unhappily miftaken for a flight, the whole
army fell into a confufion, which the Englifh,
flufhed with the profpe& of victory, foon rendered
irretrievable. An untverfal rout, a terrible car-
nage enfued. The Scots were purfued five hours ;
and the three roads, by which they fled, were co-
vered with pikes, bucklers, and dfcad bodies. This
was called the battle of Pinkey^ one of the moft fatal
which the Scots had ever fought, and in which they
loft at leaft 10,000 men. Two thoufand are faid
in the purfuit to. have counterfeited death, and to
have thus efcaped in the night ; amongft whom was
G 5 ' Angus s
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130 New History of SCOTLAND.
.Angus j but the earl of Huntley, the lords Yefteiy
Hamilton, and Wemys, weje taken prifoners.
The next day the duke plundered Leith, and
burnt Ki^ghprft. But this rough courtfhip, as the
earl of Huntley humouroufly called it, fet the En-
glifh farther off than ever, either from an alliance
with Scotland* or a reduction of it, For as foon
as the duke, through a want of provifion, was obli-
ged to return^ to England with his forces, the queen-
another and D'Oyuel, the French ambaffador^ in-
trigued fo arfully with a parliament, which imme-
diately was called, that the Scots fued to the French
king for affiftance for themfelves, and protection
for their young queen, who on receiving a favourable
anfwer, accordingly embarked for France, attended
by her jiatural^brpther James, prior of St. Andrews,
and by feveral npbles and gentlemen of diftin&ion.
And effe&ually tp. difappoint the Englifli, fhe was
ihortly after folegmly betrothed to the Dauphin. •
Six thoufand troops, under the com-
j 548. mand of monfieur D'Effe, arriving from
France, the Scots, in their turn, were re-
folved to annoy the Englifh, no^withftanding that
the duke of Somerfet, who faw that an alliance
with Scotland was, impracticable, had offered them
a ten, years truce, on very moderate terms. They
accordingly endeavoured to difpoffefs the Englifli
of what garrifojjs. they had in. Scotland; but th«
French writers have too much boafted of the fervice
which theif countrymen did in this.refpe&j it ap-
pears, • that, afc .this time, they were unable to re-
duce ■ Haddington,- the jiege of which place they
carried on JTp ; buoglingly, that the . affailants wer«
often knocked. down by women, with plummets
fixed to ftrings, which they held in their hands.
On this occaiion, XTEfle grew fo unpopular, that
hf , defired to be recalled > and monfieur Des Termes
was nominated in .his ftead, DesTcrmcs bringing
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MA R iTi 'tp
With him confiderable fupplies of money, men, ai£d
ammunition, on landing in Scotland, and' being
joined by his countrymen, found hirtifelf at the head
of no defpicable army. He laid clofe fi£ge to Had-
dington, which having no hopes of being relieved,
capitulated. He next reduced Broughty caftle,
-which on account of its fituation, was far from a
trifling acquifition.
After this, fkirmifhes and trifling fieges continued
on both fides, till the fummer of the year 1556,
when the queen-dowager made a vifit to ner daugh-
ter in France. Here, having made the French
king fenfible of the ftrength of his party in Scot-
land, and how hearty fhe herfelf was in his ihtereft f
Ihe began to hint that (he fhould be exceeding will-*
ing to fupply the place of the regent; who, by his fu-
pinenefs ana irrefolution^ had loft his popularity, arid
was little to be trufted. This was what that prince
defiredj but, at the fame time, he was willing that
Arran, to fave appearances, fhould rather refign,
than be deprived of his office. To effecl: thi^ the
French king was very liberal of his promifes. The .
murmurings of the nobles, who, it Was hinted,
might very poflibly call him to account, fhould he
continue much longer in his office, were ftronglV
urged. And as a public ratification of his con'ducx
Was then offered to him, the timorous and flexible
Arran, during a fevere illnefs of the archbilhop of
St. Andrews (who had always firmly fupported his
meafures and oppofed the dowager) agreed to abdi*
cate his regency.
On the queen-dowager's return to Scotland, in
1554, fhe accordingly teok poiTeflion of the govern*
ment : fhe foon teftined the fenfe, prudence, and re-
folution, of which fhe was miitr£fs, by taking a pro^
trefs, in perfon, into the northern parts of the king-
om. The natives there, in confequence of the facti?
ons at court; had recovered all their natural contempt
of
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ij2 New History of SCOTLAND.
of law and of equity. The queen, however, adopted
fuch vigorous mea/ures, thaj without much blood-
shed, they were reduced to a ftate of fubje&ion ^
and reviving a former law, fhe left every chieftain
anfwerable for the good behaviour of his depen-
dants. Returning to court, fhe behaved with fo
much difcretion, by feeming to difregard all dis-
putes concerning forms of worfhip, that though a
catholic herfelf, (he was innoxious both to papiffe
and to proteftants.
4 The queen's attachment to the French interefl
had thrown her into fome errors in politics. She
had elevated many of that nation to offices of truft
2nd dignity; and fhe had fo far forgotten herfelf,
as to propofe a fmall, but a fixed tax on land, ex-
prefly to maintain a body of regular troops for the
French fervice. Nothing could be more impolitic
in the regent, or more fhocking to the nobility.
Accordingly, about 300 of the leffer barons waited
©n the queen, and remonftrated fo'fenfibly, and fo
boldly againft the tax, which they confidered as a
direct innovation upon their rights and privileges,
that the queen, who foon faw her error, and knew
the determined refolution of the Scots, very pru-
dently abandoned it.
The French, having failed in this fcheme, were
exceedingly follicitous of promoting a war with
England. But as the Englifh crown had now de-
volved on Mary, a princefs whofe only ambition
was to fight for the church of Rome, and whofe
great delight was on that account to butcher this
beft of her own fubjects ;— the Scots having received
no injury, were determined to offer none ; and
therefore flatly refufed fo far to humour the French,
as to provoke a people, with whom they declared,
that, " So long as they had no finifter views on
their independency, they were difpofed to live in
.peace." This conduct hurt the French, an4
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MARY. i3£
fliowed to the regent, who had propofed the war f
the bounds of her authority. Imagining, however*
that her daughter's marriage with the dauphin
would neceffarily enlarge it, (he haftened to conclude
their nuptials.
The king of France, being equally defirous to
complete this affair, eight perfons, as reprefenta-
tives of the whole Scottifh nation, were inline*
diately Ordered to be prefent at the ceremony. They
were the archbifhopof Glafgow, thebifhopof Rofs,
the bifhop of Orkney, the earls of Caflils -and
Rothes, lord Fleming, lord Seaton, the prior of
St. Andrews, and John Erfkine of Dun. And as
fome of the perfons, who were thus highly ho-
noured, were zealous advocates for the reforma-
tion, it may ferve to fhew that the proteftant in*
tereft had by this time gained very confiderable in-
fluence.
In ratifying the marriage treaty, the French be*
trayed a fpirit of deep deceit and artifice, which is
as much charaderiftical of that people, as plain
dealing and honour is of Britons. For as the Septs,
in order to preferve their liberty and independence,
had infifted that the right of uicceffion, in default
of ifiue, fhould be fecured to the houfe of Hamil-
ton - 9 though every article to this effect was feem-
ingly ratified in the moft folemn manner by the
king of France, the young queen, and the dauphin ;
Mary, whofe youth and inexperience muft here
excufe her, haa previoufly been perfuaded to fub-
fcribe three deeds, by which, fhould (he fail of an
heir, fhe had, in free gift, aifigned over her king-
dom to the crown of trance, declaring every other
future promife or deed, to be void and of no effeft.
Under this delation, the marriage was celebrated,
on the 24th of April 1558, with great* pomp arid
fplendor ; and the Scotch deputies were treated
with the utmoft elegance. After a proper flay in
France,
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•3* New History of SCOTLAND.
France, having executed their commiflion, thtfy
thought of returning home; but they had fcarcely
taken leave of the court for that purpofe, when four
out of the eight, viz. the bjChop of Orkney, the
earl pf Rothes, the earl of'Caflils, and lord Flem-
ing, fuddenly died. And though the death of thefe
noblemen was not at that time much taken notice
of 9 yet upon the difcovery of the double-dealing
which had been ufed, it was univerfally, though
perhaps without foundation, attributed to poifon.
It has been obferved that the regent's conduct to-
wards the proteftants was inoffenfive. The refor-
mation, therefore, meeting with no check, made
an aftonifhing progrefs : half the kingdom had by
this time renounced popery. And as many per-
sons of rank and fortune had avowed themfelvea
to.be proteftants, they now began to make demands ^
which obliged Mary to lay afide the ma(k. Not to
mention particulars, they moved, that the religion,
which they profefled, fhould be the eftablifhed on*
throughout the whole kingdom.
In England, Elizabeth, who now
1559. fwayed the fcepter, had made fuch an
eftablifliment complete : and this con-
sideration, in all probability, encouraged the Scots
to be refolute in their demand/ But the reformers
little knew what cruel orders had been tranfmitted
from France. They, in fhort, amounted to the
utter extin&ion of proteftants by fire and fword 5
and the earl of Argyle, the prior of St. Andrews,
and other leaders of the party were devoted to im-
mediate deftru&ion. But the regent was too po-
litic, if not humane, to obey fuch defperate com-
mands. On the contrary, though the popiflx clergy
made a great clamour, as forefeeing the downfall
of their pride and luxury, me allowed to the pro-
teftants the free and public exercife of their reli-
gion, But asfte had been heard to declare, " that
th«
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MA R Y. t39
the performance of promifes was no farther to be urged
to princes, than was conftftent with their own con-
veniency," they were defirous to fecure themfelves
by a parliamentary- fanftion.
No longer' able to diflemble, {he treated this ap*
plication with contempt, and threatened the abridge*
mentof former privileges. On this ufage, the famous
John Knox, and other preachers, animated their ad-
herents in Perth with the moft enlarged fentin^ats
of religious liberty. As they were returning from
one of Knox's iermons, fired with violent zeal,
a prieft imprudently prepared to celebrate mafs aj
they paffed. At this hated Jight they could no
longer forbear ; but with the moft outrageous fury,
they unammoufly fell upon the churches and mo»*
nafteries in that city, and after deftroying every
image and pidure therein, they almoft levelled them
With the ground. Though this riot is generally be*,
lieved to have been meerly accidental, the regent
considered it as a determined thing. She inftantly
levied forces, and began her march to Perth. The
proteftants, on this intelligence, fwarmed together
from all. quarters; fo that in a few days, though
the queen was 7000 ftrong, they were in a condi-
tion to face her. Both parties, however, being lit-
tle 1 defirous of coming to extremities, concluded a
treaty ; which, on the part of the queen, was very
foon broken. Accordingly the proteftants aflem-
bled afrefh, called themfelves The Congregation*
and again took arms. This produced another treaty
which was broken like the former.
The proteftant Scots finding the regent no Ion*-
ger truft-worthy, affembled themfelves in arms once
more, and proceeded to action. They were led on
by James Stewart, prior of St. Andrews, and Ar-
ran, the fon of the late regent, who had been obliged
to fly from France for uttering fome very free
inches againft popery. Numbers daily flocking to
their
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136 New History of SCOTLAND.
their ftandard, they foon found themfelves fuperiar
to the queen's forces, though lately confiderably
augmented by the French. Their views, as true
{>roteftants, now comprehended civil, as well as re-i
igious liberty.
They faw the antient inhabitants of Leith dri-
ven from their houfes, and which were now occu-
pied by a ftanding army of foreigners : therefore,
tbSHgh they primarily infifted on the legal eftabliflw
ment of .their religion, they, in the next place, de-
clared that if the French forces were not fpeedily
difmifled, they would themfelves expel them Scot-
land, together with thofe who abetted them. As
the regent refufed to do either the one or the other.
The Congregation having fo great a caufe depending,
and not being willing to proceed with raflinefs, af-
iembled the whole body, peers, barons, and repre-
fentatives of boroughs, who were attached to their
party, in order to deliberate on what meafures they
fhould adopt. Willox, and the fpirited Knox, ap-
peared for the whole order of divines; who, in full
affembly, having juftly maintained, " That it was
lawful for fubjetts not only to refift tyrannical
princes, but to deprive them of their unfcriptural
authority," every individual member of the -con-
vocation, rifmg up in order, gave his fufFrage for
difmiffing the queen from her office of regent.
On this refolution, The Congregation was joined
by the late regent himfelf, who by way of douceur
for his refignation of that poft, had, by the French
king, been created duke of Chatelherault. He was
fhortly afterwards followed by Maitland, the queen's
chief fecretary, a ftatefman of the moft confummate
abilities, who fecretly had long favoured the re-
formation. This great man foon difcovered to the
lords of the Congregation ; that, without a mira-
cle, it would be impoffible for them to accomplish
their purpofes. He advifed therefore not to hazard
an
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MARY. 137
an engagement with their undifciplined, though
numerous troops, againft fuch forces as the French,
which, by the martial reigns of Francis the ift and
Henry the 2d, had become veterans in the art of
war. But he propofed that they fhould afk afljfl>
ance from the Englifh ; with whom it is imagined
both he and Knox had long maintained a private
correfpondence. As his countrymen did not imme-
diately coincide with this advice^ there Was a n<
fity of doing fomething. Accordingly, theC?
gatiqn took pofleffion of Eduiburg; but herq
ing dill perfuaded from rifking a battle, through
want of money, and other lefs eflential caufes, they
were reduced to the greateft diftrefs. In this fixa-
tion, Maitland renewed his propofal, informing
them that they might depend on aid from England,
if they thought that the caufe in \^hich they now
fuffered was iufficiently defperate and momentous tp>
demand it.
At length they complied : In confequence of
which, Cockburn of Ormifter was immediately or-
dered to repair to Berwick, where fir James Crofts
and fir Ralph Sadler .commanded, who had already
received direction to fupply the prefent exigency of
the proteftants, by the payment of 4000 crowns.
But Cockburn's party, in returning with the money,
was intercepted by the earl of Bothwell, (who at
that time was the caily nobleman of note in the ■?
queen's intereft,) and f hipped of their fupply.
The Scots, notwithftanding this accidient, were
kept from defponding by the continual harangue*
of Knox and his Brethren. But the
count de Martigues arriving from 1560.
France with 1000 foot and fome ca-
valry, the whole force of their eloquence was ne-
ceffary, in order to hinder the Congregation fronpi
difperiing. On this occafion, the diligent prior o
St; Andrews aflemblcd 600 horfe, with which he
aflailed
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effailedthe French, beat up their quarters, inter-
cepted their provifions, and cut off their ftraggling
parties. Martigues, however, having joined his
countrymen, advanced along the coafi towards
St. Andrews, with an intention to engage the pro-
teftants. In their march they difcovered, from an
eminence, a confiderable fleet ftanding in for the
firth of Forth. And inftantly concluding it to be
jifc^t which they had expe&ed, with a numerous
ftraiiy, under the command of the marquis D'Elbeuf,
Tfcey faluted it with their great guns, and indulged
themfelves in an extravagance of joy. But a fmall
boat, which landed from the oppofite fliore, made
"them fenfibJe to their utter dejection, that the fleet*
was from England, for the aid of the Congrega-
tion 5 and that a powerful army would foon fol-
low. On this, difagreeable intelligence, they with
all hafte retreated to Stirling.
The proteftants, thus timely relieved, foon after
the arrival of this fquadron, repaired to Berwick,
and through the duke of Norfolk concluded the fol-
lowing treaty with Elizabeth, " That no clofer
union with France fhould ever be fuffered ; far
which reafon, and to prevent the encroachments of
that power, the queen of England promifedto em-
ploy in Scotland a confiderable army, which the
Scots agreed to fecond with all their forces. No
place in Scotland was to 'be put into the hands of
the Englifli ; whatever was taken from the enemy,
fhould, at the difcfetion of the Scots, either be
Vi ^kepjtby themfelves or demolifhed : and if any in-
vaffon fhould be made on England, the Scots bound
themfelves to aflift Elizabeth with part of their
forces." . This treaty was ratified, and hoflag^
flven to Elizabeth for the due performance of it,
efore the march of her army into Scotland.
This army, which confiited of 6000 foot and
fooo horfe, arrived in April 5 and as the troops,
whici
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M A £ Y, 7 3 f
jvhich had been intended for the affiftance of the
French, under the marquis D'Elbeuf, had, by a
tempeft, been difperfed feveral ways, the regent
now found herfelf unable to keep the field. The
French, however, had thrown themfelves into
Leith, where they were determined to ftand a fiege.
[n the height of which, on tjie roth of June, died
the queen-regent, who was the instrument, rather
than the caufe of all thefe troubles, being in tffc
own nature, (according to Buchanan) a womaiBB
an excellent difpofition and fingular abilities. W^
her death, the French fbrefeeing that their party
would neceffarily dwindle, made overtures of peace $
which, being hearkened to, Monluc, bifhopof Va-
lence, and the fieur Randan for the French, Cecil,
Elizabeth's prime minifler, and Wotton, dean of
Canterbury, were appointed to negotiate it. On
the 6th of July it was concluded ;— the French
agreed to recall their troops from Scotland, — the
proteftant religion* was left to the decifion of par-
liament, an aft of oblivion was pafled, and' the fo-
▼ereign authority delegated tQ the lords of the Con-
gregation, Tranquility being thus happily re*
flored, the French and Englifh armies quitted Scot-
land both at the fame time.
Now nothing remained for the Scots but to fettli
their religion ^ in this affair, the ardour of the noi-
bles was little inferior to that of Knox and Wil*
lox. A parliament, therefore, the moft numerous
that had ever been known, met in Auguft, and, in a
few days, overturned popery, thatantient fuperftitiou*
fyftem of religion, though it had been eftablifhed
fo many centuries, Not one of the popifh party
ili this parliament had the boldnefs to attempt a
vindication of their doctrines ; fo that the protefr
tant religion being voted, without oppofition, the
reformed teachers were ordered to draw up a confef-
fion of faith ; which they accordingly did, and it
jnet with univerfal approbation*
*^ Digitized by GoOgle
140 New History of SCOTLAND.
The death of the French monarch, Henry the 20%
which happened the laft year, was now followed by
that of his fucceflbr Francis the 2d, Mary's hu£
band : an event which, to the Scots was extremely
pleafing, as they confidered that it would give firm-
n^fs and (lability to their new fyftem, which was
formed after the model of the reformed church of
Geneva. One thing inuft be obferved, that though
" pox and his bretnren propofed an impartial diftri-
fcion of abbey-lands and ecclefialtical revenues, to
^ fbmote religion, encourage learning, and fupport
the poor ; yet as the moft valuable of thefe had
been already feized by the nobles, they treatbd the
propofal with difregard, and calling it, " a devout
imagination," they held fail their prey. The fol-
lowing year, abbies and cathedrals, and everv
monument of popery, which had efcaped the fir-it
rage of the reformers, were, by a£t of parliament,
laul in ruins.
, The grand point of religious govern-
5 * ment, and in which a people's liberty or
flavery, muft, in a great meafure, depend, having
been thus finally fettled ; the ftates of the king-
dom appointed the prior of St. Andrews, to wait
on the queen, and invite her to take into her own
hands the reins of government. Though ihe had
been educated in the catholic religion, and hence,
many ,dreaded her return, yet upon the whole, the
invitation was fincere. On the other hand, Lefley,
bifhop of Rofs, was privately commiffioned, by the
papifts, (who were far from an inconfiderable body)
to advife her that, if when fhe came over, fhe would
land at Aberdeen, where the proteftant doflrinehad
made the leaft progrefs, fhe fhould be joined ky
20,000 men, at the head of whom, ihe might «&fuW
overturn the fabric of prefbytery, not yet thofo^itw
cemented, and re-eftablifh popery, v t #) ^
But though Lefley obtained the firft au&ente,
his embafly was N difregarded, while the prior was
received
' ^% * by Google
TM . A R Y. X4t
received with the greateft affeftion and confidence.
She exprefled towards her people,' fentiments the
azioft tender and equitable ; but accuftomed as fee
^was to the fplendor and gaiety of the French court,
file could not think of leaving it but with regret.
Her good fenfe, however, ibon determined her,
clifagreeable as it might be, to quit France, and
*o return to her native country, Whilft (he was
preparing for this voyage, commenced thofe fatal
jars with England, which imbittered and (hortened
Jier days. By the 6th article in the late peace,
JVlary, (who had been perfuaded by her father-in-
law Henry the 2d, not meerly to ufe, on every oc-
. £afion, the arms of England, but even to lay claim
to the crown;) after acknowledging that the crown
*b( England and Ireland did of right belong to
Elizabeth, had folemnly promifed that fhe would
jiever hereafter ufe the titles, or bear the arms of
thofe kingdoms. This article Mary had never
ratified. Her pretenfions to the crowri of England
added greatly to her importance; and therefore,
though fhe had not ufed the titles foi fome time,
{he certainly meant, by not ratifying the treaty, to
revive her claim oa the firft profp&ft of fuccefs.
The celebrated Dr. Robertfon, whofe hiftory of
this reign is here principally followed, is of opinion,
that as Elizabeth's own iubje<Sb could not deny
the queen of Scots to be her immediate heir, if
Mary therefore, inftead of promifing to abftain
from bearing the title of queen of England " in
all times to come," had engaged not to aflume
that title, " during the- life of Elizabeth, or th^
lives of her lawful pofterity," matters might thus
have terminated amicably.
. But female jealoufly on the part of Elizabeth,
£*ad in this affair, ,no inconfiderable fway. Eliza-
beth, though a great queen, had, in her difpofition,
as the reader will have occafion to remark, much
of
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fcffc New History of SCOTLAND.
of the vain woman. She was prodigioufly Fond ofr
drefs, uncommonly folicitous to difplay her charms*,
and with the incenfe of flattery exceedingly de-£
lighted. The Scotch queen, though flie failed iir
abilities, furpaffed her in beauty ; atnongff the po-*
litical motives therefore, which urged i Elizabeth,,
fomething, is to be afcribed to thofe paflions and
weaknefles which princes feel in common with their*
fubjects. Hence it was that lhe refufed Mary a
fafe conduct. However, the queen. fet fail: flie
kept on deck, inceflantly gazing on the. French,
coaft ; and when her eyes could not longer difcera
it, fhe cried out, «« Farewell France J Farewell be--
loved country, which I fhall never more behold !'*
By the favour of a brifk gale, and afterwards of a
thick fog, lhe efcaped an Englifh fleet, which it
is thought, lay in wait to intercept her, and landed
fafely at Leith, on the igth of Auguft, after thir-
teen years abfence from her native country.
The reception which Ae met with, was far front
giving her a favourable opinion of her change ; for
the Scots not expecting, her arrival fo foon, were
tinder a neceffity of efcorting her to Holyrood-houfe r
over a barren country with very little pomp. How-
ever, on her entering Edinburg, thi& was amply re-^
compenfed by the moft unbounded teftifications of
joy ; though it is worth observing, that as it was
cuftomary in thofe times to exhibit a number of
pageants at public feftivak, moft of thefe, on this ^
occafion, were uncouth reprefentations of God'* f V J
vengeance againft idolators* But the Sunday fol- '
lowing, thefe expreflions of approbation were a
little contradicted ; for (he commanded mafs to be
celebrated in the chapel of her palace. Thepopu-* * k
lace, notwithftanding the awe, with which her pre-
fence had infpired them, would on this occafion*
have proceeded to violence, but for the timely in-
terpoiitkm of the prior of St. Andrews. By his
means^
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M A R Y. 14$
means, the queen, and her domeftics, then and ever
after, were allowed the undifturbed exercife of their
^religion. This indulgence to the queen, produced
her royal aflent to the reformation ; together with a
proclamation, that any attempt to alter or fubvert it,
ihould be deemed felony. The prior and Maitland,
perfons very much in favour with the people, now
became her chief favourites ; none but proteftants
•were promoted to offices of value or importance j
and the queen, obferving the difpofition of her ped«*
pie, gave but little countenance to papifts.
JBut Mary, foon began to experience the cares of
government : her favourable regard of the prior of
t. Andrews, was a thorn in the fide of the earl of
Huntley, who was a bigbtted papift, and had greatly
flattered himfelf with the thoughts of enjoying the
queen's entire confidence; he therefore conudered
the prior as the rival of his power. A few perfonal
injuries foon created a quarrel, which ere long be-,
gan to flame with great violence j but as the prior .
defeated the efforts of his private revenge, he madly*
rufhed into open rebellion ; and his fury againfl: the
queen was ftill heightened, by her creating the
prior Earl of Murray , the title and revenues of
•which Huntley had claimed for himfelf. The new-
made earl inftantly undertook to quell the infur-
re&ion ; which he accordingly effected with a hand-
Ail of men ; and in the engagement, Huntley, who
was extremely corpulent, was trampled to death, *
How far the views of this ambitious nobleman had
extended is not very clear ; but it is generally be-.
( lived that the crown itfelf was his object.
This infurrecfcion. being quelled, ^Mary
- began to new-model her court; and as 1563.
far as fhe was, able, France was her pat-
tern. Knox,, and the rigid reformers of thofe days,
have reprefented her as introducing not only luxury,
but indecency •> though it is probahle that they be-
flowed
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144 New History of SCOTLAND.
flowed thefe hard names meerly on regal ftatc, and
the innocent diverfion of dancing. Her fubjedts in
general, now wifted that fhe would take into her
confidcration, one important concern. As fhe had
been a widow two years, they wiflied for her mar-
riage ; that fo the crown might defcend in an un-
interrupted line from ancient monarchs. She was
exceedingly beautiful, and . befides being adorned
with moil: female accomplishments; fhe was well
frilled in what, at that time, were reckoned polite
ftu&es : her fame had fpread all over Europe ; and
if to this be added the profpe<5l of mounting the
Englifh throne, it will be no longer furprizing that
many different princes fhould fue for an alliance fc>
illustrious. Propofals of this nature were made
from Charles the archduke of Auftria ; from Philip
tte 2o"s fon, Don Carlos of Spain ; and by the
diike of Anjou ; but as feverai circumftances con-
curred to divert Mary from the thoughts of a foreign
alliance, Elizabeth warmly recommended to her the
cfpoufal of her favourite, Robert Dudley earl of
Lefcefter.
But a match with an Englifh fubje£t, was no
way agreeable to Mary's high fpirit. Sne, however,
treated Elizabeth's minifters with great refpefl 5 and
giving an evafive anfwer, propofed, in her turn, to
the Englifh queen, a marrriage between her and the
earl of Arran. On this occafion, the two queers
entered into a correfpondence, which was carried
on, till the fpring of 1565, with equal politenefs
and diiTimulation. At- length Mary declared, that
if Elizabeth would publickly acknowledge her right
of iucceffion to the Englifh crown, fhe would ho-
nour the carl of Leicefter with her.perfon. As this
was touching Elizabeth to the quick, the corref-
pondence dropped.
About this time, Henry Stewart, lord Darnly,
ion of the earl of Lenox, who had been exiled by
the
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MARY. 145
the regent duke of Chattelherault, arrived in Scot-
land. This nobleman was fcarcely twenty years of
age ; in llature above the common fize, perfectly
well (haped, and handfome to effeminacy. Being
wellverfedin fuch arts, as could add eafe and ele-
gance to his form, he at once decided an affair
which had been the object of many political in-
trigues. The queen law him as the only marl
whom (he determined to efpoufe. For fome time,
however, her inclination was not known 5 hut
Darnly falling ill of the meafles, her love grew too
violent to be any longer concealed j for breaking
through all form and dignity, fhe fubmitted, dur*
' ing his illnefs, to be his perfonal attendant. Ort
his recovery, flie publickly avowed her regard ; and
not to dwell upon particulars, which the limits -of
this hiftory will not permit, though her choice of
him was rather difagreeable to Murray and to many
of her fubje&s, 'and intirely fo to Elizabeth, he
received her hand on the 29th of July: The
ceremony wis performed in her own chapel, and
according to the rites of the church of Rome.
To teftify the height of her affe&ioiii fhe iffued
out orders that he mould be intitled king of Scots,
commanding, at the fame time, all writs of law to
run in the joint names of king and queen. This
violent ftretch of prerogative not a little alarmed
her fubjedts. Murray, who before the marriage,
had found that the tide of court-favour ran ftrongly
againft him, and therefore had retired from the
adminiftration ; becoming now the objecl of the-
king's hatred, and having received intimation that
his life was in danger, (though whether any con-
fpiracy was or was not formed againft him, has hi-
therto been difputable) fummoned his rrilitary
tenants ; but having in vain attempted to roufe the
inhabitants of Edinburg to arms, either in order to
revenge the plot which had been formed againft
> H him,
Digitized by GOOgle
u6 New History of SCOTLAND.
him, or to prevent the ifl -effects tif the queen's
fondiiefc* he retired with his forced to Dumfries.
Heferit letters to Mary i from hence, fulbsbf iirfemK-
fion, offering to accommodate matters, and imploring
heir forgivejiefs; But the queen being detevipiaea
to crulh htm, rejected his offers, and advanced*; Up-
wards him with 18,000 men. On this hefldl info
England^ ahd put himfelf under the i proteftion «*f
Eli&abeth, who, ascfome hiftorians aflfert, haidncxcited
him to take arms merely to diftfefs the queen laf
Scots* on account of her marriage > with * Darfi ly,
of which in the ftrongeft terms fhe had. eaqprdfed
her difpleafure. Here, though Elizabeth*- in order
to fave appearances with Mary, affeQed openly t6
discountenance him, he not only found an afykim}
but a> ftippor*. „ - . , t
As the profperiry of Mary's jaffaks had
1566. rooted her aver fion>to Murray, k alfo be^
. gan to infpire her with fentiments^ ino
lefs prejudicial to : the whole proteftant party^ thaAt
the revival of popery. This, notwithstanding* h*r
former folemn engagements, ihe certainly had at*
tempted, in a parliament which was to have met
on the 1 2th of March , but for the following, uneic*
pt died event :. r ;.;♦
.The queen's. Violent paffionfor Darnly .fpon bft*
gan to abate. She found, that befides 1 his. perfoh*
he had nothing to recommend him. The little un*
deritanding he had, was ftill leflened hy fel£-con>
ceit> and all the queen's caution could not pW
ferve bimfrom rafhnefs and imprudence. As he
was fond of the amufements, and . even addi&cd to
many of ti^e, vices of youth, cui^everyj flight ^uo«
mef lic^uarrel* his impatient temper led: hxA into
fcencs of the deepeft debauchery. Hedranktaexc^iiy
affronted the queen in public, and brought infection
to her bed. As fuch a vile return for her excelHve
kindncte was infolcfablej Mary t<?pk little care to
hide
d by Google
hkle her dtfgttft. The iking* befbi»>hifrimarriage,
had cultivated )itni acquaintance with.! one David
Ri^ia, theiihn.of ailmuficiaa Ime'Turia. a Uyi feri-
vili&yfand iafinuationthfe. man gained ajdroifflonjitto
the ?queen ? s family, who retained ;him for >hisifciliiii .
4mific,u&nd he foon crept into confiderable favoua
.TfO IRfeio* (who had refufed of late to aecom«-
tpany i him in his extravagancies ) and. ; nbfc to . his
bwnteoV behaviour, Darnly imputed the ilieaatioh
5©f r the queen's affie^ion. \ • ;: <>■ rr. t
. [WhctkervMar/s favour to her mjafictan eve*
kofe to a Criminal indulgence^ has never- feeea
ttew©ughly afcertained, Buchanan exprefly acxufefc
her r but, ut this refped, he is thought, \>ysmny to
ha^/depart»d;&om the truth ofhiftery. Ifcascer*
tain, however, that fhe frequently perjpif texfc hink
lorfupi with; her4 and thatfhi wafr her conftant at-
teridanfc m ail her: recreations. As Daraly concluded
bar pa t beiguil ty, he devoted this unworthy favourite
<so defhu&iom Rizio had been fo> intoxicated with
tfee queen's regard* as to ftudy on«very occafionto
difplay it, talking familiarly to his foveneign, and
whifpermg in her ear, even in. parliament: hence
Darnly found it no difficult matter, to engage many
of the nobility to aflift him in his refolution.. Ac-
cardamgly havhig communicated his define $o the
earl of Morton,' lord !Lihdfayi and; lord Ruthven^
they agreed to fet afide the minion, requiring^ by
way of preliminary*; that the king, fhouldjrecal the?
earl} of Murray^ together witbfuch. of his friends
as Were with hitji in exiles Matters being thus
adjuftedy they proceeded to gratify Darniy's refent*
ment j * i Morton and; Ruthven. hoaeftly propofect to
have Rifcio tried by parhament, and hanged pub-
Ikldy if ib ferttenced ; hut the king's revenge was
fo vehement, that he declared the wretch fhould be
affoflinated in the queen's pretence, though fhe was
fix months advanced in her pregnancy j protefting
i . Ha that
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148 New History of SCOTLAND.
that if they refufed their affiftance, he would fbB -
him with his own hand.
On the 9th of March, therefore, whilft
1566* Rizio and thecountefs of Argyle were at
fupper with the queen, Darnly, by a prw
vate paflage, fuddenly entered the apartment, Ruth-
ven and three or four of his trufty accomplices, fol-
lowed in armour. The queen and her company were
ftruck with, terrible aftoniihment! Rizio concluding
himfelf to be the intended victim, ran for (belter
behind the queen's back:, and clung to her cloaths j
while Ruthven,with his drawn ? dagger, commanded
him to leave the room. But the queen, ftill protect-
ing him, he was violently fevered from her ; and
being pierced with fifty-fix wounds, he expired- jn
the adjoining apartment.
The confpirators for fome time kept,pofleffion of
the palace ; carefully guarded the queen, and ex-
torted from her, in the king's prefence, a promife
of pardon. Murray, in the mean time, returned
according to agreement, and was well received,
both by the king and queen, but he carefully, avoided
taking part with the afTaflins. As Mary foon Taw
that her hufband, who had prohibited the parlia-
ment from meeting on the day appointed, was ir-»
refolyte what courfe to take ; fhe ufed fuch fuccefs-
ful arts, as prevailed with him to difmifs the guard
of her perfon, and to retire with her to Dunbar.
Darnly having here publickly protefted againft any
participation inithe murder of Rizio ; Morton, and
his affbeiates, apprehenfive of bad confequences,
from this bafe ufage, fled precipitately to Newcaftle,
Mary then returned to Edinburg, v/here fhe em-
ployed all the rigour of the law againft the perfons
who had been any way concerned in the murder-of
her favourite. It appears, however, that onljkjtwt*
men of inconfiderable rank were executed, *
Though the king, by his proclamation^ endea-
voured to j; erfuade the public that he was not an
acceflary.
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MARY. H9
«CcefTary in this crime $. the queen knew full well
thf contrary. Her hatred to him therefore increafed;
and as he perfevered in his lewd and riotous courfes,
departing intirely from *a king's dignity, {he wifely
abridged his power. Thus circumitanced, and
equally difregarded by the nobility, he, for fome
time, retired to his father's houfe, where he lived in
a folitude unpitkd and ncgle&ed.
A new favourite with Mary, now appeared in
James Hepburn earl of BothwelL A papift of the "
utmoft bigottry, v/ho hacf formerly ventured almoft
fmgly to oppofe the meafures of the Congregation.
And as the queen was bent on the reftoration of
popery, having actually written to pope Pius
the 5th for a nuncio, and in the mean time allowed
great indulgence to priefts, Bothwell enjoyed her
intire confidence. But as he was Murray's im-
placable enemy, and the queen defired to keep well
with that nobleman, (he laboured to reconcile them,
and at laft procured a mutual promife to forgive,
and forget all paft injuries.
As the hour of the queen's delivery was now at
band, (he fixed her refidence at Edinburg caftle, as
the place of the greateft fecurity for her peripn,
amidft the tumults which were not yet intirely
fubfided. Here, on the 19th of June, fhe was de-
livered of her only fon James, who afterwards by
his acceflion to the throne of England, united two
feparate kingdoms into what they feemed formed
for by nature,— -one great monarchy. His
baptifm, at which queen Elizabeth, the king of
France, and the duke of Savoy, ftood fponfors, was
celebrated with uncommon magnificence 5 but after
x the Romifti manner.
The king's fituation now grew fo exceeding^
irkfome to him, that he intimated his intention of
quitting Scotland. But as the cjueen thought that
bis departure would probably ipread their quarrel
H 3 all
150 New History of SCOTLAND.
all over Europe, and that, in fuch a cafe, fhe her-
felf might fuffer in the opinion of many, fhe ma-.
naged matters in fuch a manner, as to prevent his
intended flight ; And in the mean time, tranfmitted
from Jedburgh, where fhe was holding a court of
juftice, an acccount of his and her tranfa&ions to
the king of France; fetting her own condudt
doubtlefs in the moft favourable point of view.
Both well was at this time chaftrfing the licentious
borderer^; in a fkirmifh with whom, he had received
a wouncl which obliged him to be carried to Her-
mitage caiUe. The queeft no fooner heard of this,
than fhe travelled from Jedburgh, eighteen miles
over a moft rugged road, in order to fee him. This
famous yifitivasbeeii attributed to various motives;,
but molt hiftorians believe, that the fole incentive
was love.
. Finding BothwellY indifpofition but flight, fhe
returned to Jedburgh the fame fc day ; but the hurry of
her fpirits, together with the fatigue of her journey,,
threw her the n«xt morningirito afever ; from which,
however, her youth and excellent constitution very
foonrecovered her. Perfectly to re-eftablifh her health,,
tfcuj queen fixed her residence at Craigmillar. The
♦' king flill remained in a contemptuous folitude at.
Stirling : from whence, the following year, he re- j
moved to Glafgow. Here he was ieized with a
dangerous diftemper, the efFeft, as fome fay, of
poifoh ; nor did the queen once vifit him, till he
was out of danger, a fimilar compliment to that
which he had paid to her at Jedburgh.
"But now all at once the queen appeared to be re-
conciled to him. ^Complaining of the badnefs of the
air where he then was, fhe prepared a houfe for his.
jceception at Edinburg, which had the advantage
of an heaJthful fituation. The king, overjoyed at
her return of affection for him, .and believing it to
be thoroughly lincere, \vas carried thither in a lit-
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M A R Y. : 151
t«r v be^ng (till weak. The queen a^d Bothw^l
aifidup^fly attended him ; anc} the fotn-ier flept Je-
verol nights under hrs roof. But according tb every
appearance, of reafon, ,corifidering her former beha-
viour, and what afterwards en?ued, the queen's
kindnefs was rank artifice j and whilft. the wretched
I>arnly fondly dreamed of future happinefs 'with his
wife, it is fhe. opinion of the rooft credible writers,
tha^y in concert with the earl p{ Bothwell, fhe was
plotting his deftruiSion.
Qijl Sunday the 9th of February, fays Dr. &b-*
bertfon* about eleven at night, the queen left his
majeity in order to be prefent at a maique in the pa-
lace. At two next morning, the houfe in which
the Jcing lay, was blown up with gun-powder. 'The
noife and fhock, which this fudden explofiorrocca-
fioned, alarmed the whole city. The inhabitants
ran. to the place whence it came. The dead body
of the king, with that of a (ervant^ who flept in
the fame room, was found lying in an adjacent gar-
den,, without the city wall, and with no bruife or
mark of violence. '-
Thus fell Henry Stewart, lord £)arrily, whofe
memory, nothing but the manner of his death could
have. preserved, and rendered lamentable. Hew&s.
fpon buried, by the queen with little pomp, and lefs .
forrow, by the fide of her favourite Rizio.
As tp the author of this execrable deed,* geriSr^l
fufpicion pointed the finger at Bothwell. L^nox,
(Darnjy's father) boldly charged him with it. He'
was accordingly tried, but by his own great in-
fluence^ ami the queen's dexterous, management,
who ftill treated the fuppofed murderer with the
greateft familiarity, he was acquitted. This ver-
dict in his favour, was far from being the fenfe of
the ; nation., The people in general murmured ;
for. only eleven days were allowed to prepare for his
ttjal, Jbefides otjier fufpicious proceedings j but a^
h 4 ^^y
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152 New History of SCOTLAND.
they only mjjrmured, without railing any commo-
tion $ l he i!ifreg3rded"t^ 1,6 com-,
pkfle j his laift great project,^ which was nothing lefs
than- a J marriage with the queen. Fot this cni^i
harttfn£ r dittfcirced ^nls ■ wife, he invited moft of the*
principal nobility to an entertainment; at the clofe'
of wMdiy hedifcovered his intcntiDrr, and at the fame;
, time tendered a paper for his guefts to figrf, which
contained" the ftrorigeft declaration of his innocence,
—-thanks' for*' his good fervices to the nati6h,---an<J:
finally,^ ~^ecommehdation to the queen, as a pro-
per j>erfori- for her huftand. Awed by armed iher£
overcome with wine, fubdued by flattery, or
prevaHed on by promifes, all his guefts figned this 8 "
paper, to the difcredit of themfelves, arid the dis-
honour 1 of their country. "_ .
The oueen's affections having been previciufty en 7 : J
gaged, tnere remained nothing now but the cele-
bration of their nuptials ; which Mary, to hef utter
, ruin and everlaiting difgrace, permitted
J 5°l- on the 1 5 th of May.
But Bothwell found that he had ftill one ftep to;
the pinacle of his defires. The young prince had
been intrufted to the care of the earl of Mar, a no-
bleman every Way defexving of fuch a particular con-
fidence. The earl was tampered with to refign his
charge ; but his integrity was proof againft the moft
flattering^promifes. Inftead of giving up the prince,
he made fome of the principal »nobility acquainted ;
with fiothwelFs proceedings. Apprehenfive that young '
James might foon be forced from his guardian, ana
dreading left, irk that cafe, both fon and father^
ihould die iby the fame hands; Argyle, ; Athol; 15
Mar, Mrtrtfen, Gkncairn, Home, Lindfey, Boyd, J !
and others, entered into a confederacy for the fafety
of his perfon, . and the abolition of Both well's pbwW :
Their intention was no fooner made known, than
the inhabitants of Edinburg, and parts adjacent,
■■••'-' joined
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M A R Y. i$$
joined them in arms. The queep ana Both well, £&.»
ter publifliing. manifeftoes in vindication; of t theij;
conduct,--- which were little regardedjr-r-retired to!
I>unbar. They were quickly followed by f)ie c,on-.
federates, whom Bothwell, in his defperate fit;ua- ,
tion, determined, with his difbearte#e*d followers,
to withftand. x .,,
On the 15th of July, both armies, ; \^hich ift
number were nearly equal, were ready to crjggge*.
Bothwell's forces were ported on a fifing ground**
to the greateft advantage j but they were .fei^ed,
notwithftanding every endeavour to t animate them* :
with fuch a panic, that the queen, who faw the
enemy furrounding them, gave up every thing foe
loft.' And Bothwell himfelf taking his laft leave,
of her, rode off the field in the utmoil difoay.
Upon this, the unhappy queen furrendered herfelf
to Kirkaldy of Grange, a generous and brave ma#»
who headed an advanced body of the confederates.
Though the -confederate lards, to whom flie was
conduced by Kirkaldy, treated her with greafc re-
fpecT;, they either could or would not reftrain the
licence of the foldiery, who infulted her with die.
utmoft infolence and barbarity. Where e'er fljfc
threw around her eyes,- there appeared pictures held
up t by them, on which was painted the dead bod/
of the late Jcing, ftrejtched at length, with the
prince kneeling before it, and uttering thefe words*
** Judge and revenge my caufe, O Lord." When
beauty ^nd diftrefs are united, they ufually produce
companion j but the wretched Marv experienced all
the horrors qf captivity. She was fed a public fpeo
tacle through the ftreets of Edinburg, covered with
duft and bathed in tears ; arid then imprifor^Jd im
the caftje of Lqchlevin.
The reafon afligned for this laft. piece 9£ ( feve^i
nty, is, a caflcet was difcovered jn JEdir^hurg,cniHey;
which contained a fecret correfpondence with Both-
Well, in the'eourfe of which, during Darnly's life-
H 5 time^
Digitized by CjOOQLC
t&p New ffitfroR* o* SCOTLAND,
time, ihd hadiwritten love; fbnneta to hirn^ /and as
lbme of the letters, (which a few^erfon&beHeteetctbe
fojqged^ ftbongJy\ prWd that fhe was equally guilty
with Bothwell of the late king's death, having con-
trived the f very manner of it herfcl f ; herice the lords
ftriftly c6rifaied heiv ' r..
4 As fhe was at no pains to conceal her attachment
to the Wretch^ who had fo daftardiy fbrfaken her,
they tendered her alfo a paper to fign, in which file
fbould renounce all ihare in the government, agree
to the coronation of the young king, and to the
appointment of the earl ot Murray as regent, who
was jtift therv returned from France, where he had
retired foon after the king's murder. In deep def-
pair fhe figned this deed, on the 24th of July 5
on the 29th James was crowned at Stirling; and
Murray, on the day following, was prevailed with
to accept the regency.
,-■■ ' J A M E S VI.
/ MARY afterwards declared, that her
5 ' * compliance and refignation was extorted
fromher; and therefore hiftorians in general have con-
fidered her as queen of Scotland, 1 11 the day of her
death. But from this time every national circum-
fiance was tranfaited under the name of her fon.
Bothwell^ difappointed ambition foon led him to
fit out a fmall fquadron of ihips, and to aft as a
pirate againft his own countrymen. A reward of
a thoufand crowns being fet on his head, Kir-
kaldy failed in queft of him, and difperfed his fleet ;
on* which, m the greateft diftrefs, through want of
provifion,' Bothwell attacked a rich fhip which' be-
longed to Norway ; but the Norwegians coming
with armed boats to her afliftance, he and his* crew
were taken prifoners. The latter were all executed,
but Bothwell's character being difcovered, the
wretch
Digitized by GoOgle
JAM E S Vi 155
wretcb.wasfeyatfred with impiifoaiii aciU JfoH life,. and
ct^d^defieirvedly unpitidd hv his caarotifynieii^ and
ufiiififtcd byrftrangerap mlhe lotkiyc^Tof fhifex3|^
tivity.^r;' ■-./; j:;. -?r, ; ■:•■■;.,! ^, i -;.f> la J:*v/ri)o& ri2;v '
zbWfciftfbthe 'ftates of Saotland iwerrdeKhterWiig
on what meafures they fhould taker ^itkrMary^lhe
wasrrakditJating her cfcape. 'In the^oth^nKi&feliiof
l^riinpdlbnnient, by flattering her keqaexfebrodijer* *
a>^fc¥itn; of .eighteen,? with the hope of e#ehi^imari-
riage, Aey through his aiM^nce, faad the; good
fortune to^accomplifli it. She travelled poft^A
faerTdelrvsrer to Hamilton, where,: in a ie/wndagrs,
ifaed foUml t fcerfelf at . the head of an army < $ooo
ftreiiag~ u r" * : . ',./'. >.-; C -r: <
: The regent heard of her flight with the gfreateft
aftonilhment. He foon received intelligence of her
fifawtibn^and concluding that flte would fhajfly
march towards the capital, he refolyed to meet, her
half way. Having drawn together about 4000 men,
he marched to Dunbarton, ani pofted his troops
advantageoufly on an eminence, called Langfide-
Hill. Here, on the 1 3th of May, Mary's
party attacked him with the utmoft im- 1568. "
petoofity, but with fo little judgment*
that the regent, having ftood the (hock of tbeir
fturious onfet, without much injury, difotdered
them, and they were foon totally routed. But as
the, regent and his officers, in the purfuit, conjured
the foMiers to fpare their countrymen, few were
killed, though numbers taken prifcners.
1 It was on t h is bad fuccefs, that Mary, who had feen
all which patied in theiield, from an mil at 00 great
diftatice, dreading the thought of falling again into
titejjowerof her fubjects, determined to throw herfelf
onthe pxote&ion of Elizabeth. For that ejad, me
fled with furprifing celerity to Carlifle; whefe fhe
arrived, before the regent knew even the rout which
file bad taken. Lowther, the deputy rgovejriior of
1. . that
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i$6 New History of SCOTLAND.
ihatr pJace^cqcive^ k& M^flWYJOadp* ofcefped.
She inllantly wrptqaloog letter ^^U^ab<tl%ftraariy
rem-efentin^ , the j ingratitude of her,<>yn (Ubjrofes*
and imploring .^veidt which the E»gfifl&,qi*e£i**
it feeif^fca*ji 7opne% promifefd, and wfei<tfrjwir p«ftf
fcpi <WagfepbJ^ cw^mft^ic€s 4^awi<Wf , I i-I
Ejii^heth,. havifigin cpur^il, raa^ureiy,confi(Jered
oji Y^ha£ f W ft ihe ibpuld take wi$fa Mary Jn-thi*
emegj^£jr v/ (ir* which, deli beratior), jjt has breniaid*
that the queftipn was npt what was mpft jA&gr^e*-
i^rpA^^bjut what was ,mpft bene&eiajl to hfeitfelf
arnT tp ,t£e ^ngliflj nation) refolv^d to kdtpber tfr
England* wo 1 at ,£he fame time to jmanftgs waljttws
fo with Mary, that it might feem her Own deiij&
Acpordingiy, lord Scroop .and u> Firajw&iKnoJJes
were fJifpatfh^d with letters, full pf exprfiffionsithp
moft (kind , and condoling. On receipt . of thtffe*,
Mary cleftrco' $o be efcorted to London, in ^der to
obtain a pergonal interview 5 but Scroop aiod Kttolks,
agreeably to tbejr, private inftf unions, ihfonfred her
tl*at fheij; miftrefs could by no means admit of fuch
a vifit, till jyiaryba/i cleared herfelf from having had
any, concern in her hufbands murder. On this cruel
rebuff, flie o/Fered to fubmit the proof of her in-
nqeepfce to the cognizance of Elizabeth; and, in
the meaii time, fhe was conducted to Bolton caftte
iu Yp/kfhire. . '
Elizabeth well knew that as matters now flood,
a public enquiry before her intp the conduit of
Mary would manifeft her own fuperiority:; fuch a
propoftl was the very thing which that; jealous
queen ajmedat, and therefore ihe dejjen^ihod .fjwlth-
with.tp br^ng.M^ry, to trial. In themeaft whik,
bj* a r^afier-itroke of policy, ftie required IthefDe-
ge^t to t defei?4.^V ponduct before h^r !at : Wcft-
mimler. As fee knew, that the regent ceJuid not
dare to difobey her fummons, .(he lifcewife expedited
that he would naturally, for his own fake, accufe
Mary
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Mmf4& being atffcffifry to «*£ «fcath ^6f :JNf* »^fc
hnmp*k&M that icafe, fte cduWhttfe ;Tu6K T meafufts
a£ wx&ld lay her rival entirety a* htrnbtty! J Ttik
regent arrived &t London in^Udfober, aacontjsaiii&I
by *he*arl <tf Morton, * Ae^ifli^fbf <>*nty ? lord
X.indfay, aind ^itcakncjicdmW^bthit^^f Btinfe^ml
lirtg^ j» - c^rnmiiBoncPs in 'fcfe b^hiSf; lj ir rV thefe
wtettdirfisdftftaftto* Balnav^s of HaH-hHJ, M^c-
giU^of Rankeilor, two able civilians, Maitlancl the
fate ftcteflary, and George Buehanan. ^ ' } j J
Mary, whtf^during this intervaJ, was \e^d bjr
EJiaab^di wfh die greateft (hew of affeftioh, had
empowered mher behalf Lefley bifhop 6f Rofs, lord
Boyd, 4ord Merries, lord Levingfton* fit John Gdr-
don oPLodlinvar, w fir James Cockbum or Skirting,
and Gavin Hamilton, commendator of Kilwinning.
Ettfckbetb, on her part, appointed Thomas Howard
duke of Norfolk, Thomas Ratdiff earl of Suffex,
the eaii^of Arundel and Leicester, lord Clinton,
fir Ralph Sadfcr, and fir William Cecil.
- Whift this great affair was in agitatiori, Eliza-
beth amu&d the French and SpaniUr ambafladours
with repeated promifes of aififting the Scottifh
queen, as far an might be confident with her
honour ; and it was this consideration which had
Eevaikd <m Mary to fuffer the ignominy of a pub-
: trial. It was firft intended to have been con-
duced at York ; but an intrigue between the duke
of Norfolk and Maty's commiffioners, having been
dflbovered, it was on that account removed to Weft-
minfter. The caufe was opened Tn November.
Mafly's deputies having recapitulated the jeveral ar-
ticles ef her imprifonmertt,— of the extortred deed,—
and ^bf the *ife of lier fon's name to folve the ufur-
pation *>f her authority,^— the regent and hi? party
wete kj them deiiominated traitors. The regent,
ift vindication of his own conduft, alledged, that
the infamy of her marriage with Bothwell, rendered
it
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1^8 New Hjstory op SCOTLAND.
it necefl^ry to take arms in <Hde# tadiffolye* its and '
th^thk: other pro^e^iiig^ ; rented Mfhdlly^ftcoii
% fliamefttf. ^ttuchiiifei^-.iMIck ftie jftilfci profWfed.,
fqr tfca^ im^otfhy »<d>tema». .As h^ coafidet^d,
a&d with rqafon, that this would be fufficient for
his defence, not a fmgle circumftance conoerjujag^
the king's tfjurde^ ?w*s hinted**. ; ; i , , ■ ? . • • >
$pt jhis.was^npt the point at \dikh iElizafeeth
aimed. Mary at ail ; eventa was to be accuJedcof
t^crim^ • A^cQI'diagly* at the next meeting; rttf-
tj^c^migioner^ the? v earl of Lenox appeared in
CiHW[t, t a^d ; upoa oa!h, accufed therqsfeea oft this'
murder ; producing certain papers, which he ifeid
\pould pK^:bi$ allegation to be juft. ^Mary's com-
mifliopers ^efufed to reply to this ioU.cha^ge^rtill
^^jfljould have obtained for their queen, the an- *
^encerwith Elizabeth, which fherhad reqiiefted.
>But^he r(?genti haying been referred to by Lenox,
apd being ; therefore obliged to jominaccuftng the
Sco^tifli queer*; Elizabeth, who. had now feen all
tl^ letter* of Mary to Bothwell, not only refufed
the- interview, but replied to her requeft m fuch
terms, as fufficiently indicated that fhe believed her
guilty. And Mary herfelf, who notwithstanding
this? repulfe, negle&ed to produce proof of her
innocence, proofing to accommodate matters with
her fubje&s without it, not a little ftrengtheaed
the opinion. But 4$ it is. a difficult matter; to
dive into the breaft of 3 wife prince, whatever were
Elizabeth's real fcntiments on this/iead, /he pro-
pofed to fettle a]} difputes between ti*e queen afcd
her people in the following manner ; " That Mary
fhould mal^e a,}fonnal reftgnation, ©f her crown,, ra»
tify the regent's- au^orky, ( and confeftt that ioth
herfelf and her fpn flioula reiide in England." To
this propofal, JViaiiy, now . feeing the extent of
Elizabeth's friendship a«id 'generality, and con-
fidering that fuch a ftep would efFe&ualJy bh&Mr.
reputa-
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JAMES VI. 1$9
reputation And «irfaing» hetf pe¥fd*r r recited,- cfl In-
ftant degath i* Ids te**ibte:iha«>fi3dh &* ign&ftiriy ;
Ii wilt>part with life before^ !?*$&. wiifei rtif "bwn
hinds 4*^e> away my c*owit * Ao 1 -WhlWVe^ btfals
i*e*i lay laft w$rds fealt be thdfe Gf a quteft *>f
Scotland;" V: ^
On this declaration, the regent was dift ' »
imfied, ih February, without either an ap^' 1569/ *
ptov& or a cenfiire of his condA^a.: TbeV -
commifliofiers for Mary followed foon afte*, and
{he was rejpoved to Shrewsbury, wfcere> therhHera-
hle qiceen ibon found herfeif to be a cldfe-pri-
fbner. ..i <
The negpnt, on his return to Stfttland,^ found
a ftrong fa&ion of Papifts united in 'her fa-
vour. However, having been affured of ElfeuSeffiV
prote&ipn, he took fuch vigorous meafUres fc* foon
broke it * and the nation refumed its tranquility.
The following year, Elizabeth, who it is faki had
difcovered that Mary had entered into a conf^iracy,
With a view to fet herfeif on the throne of England,
and reftore the popift religion^ determined, as fhe
forefaw that to detain her any longer, would only
he to occafion continual cabals and ihfurre&ions,
to refign her into the hands of the regent. But-
the murder of this great man prevented the execu-
tion of her defign. ;
It feems, that the regent bad deprived ohe Ha-
milton' of Bbthwellhaugh of a part of his eftate,
in favour of one of his friends, who, befides taking
pofleffion, had ufed his wife fo feverely, as had de-
prived her of herfenfes. For thefe injuries^ though
heowed hi$life <m a former occafion to the regent's
clemency, Hamilton vowed revenge. ■ ActorcKngly,
on the 23d of January 1570, he pofted himfelf in
ah old houfe at Linlithgow, and as the regent paffed
by, he wounded him fo defperately with a bullet,
through the lower part of his belly, that he died-
in
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in die greateft anguHh the fame night, univerfally
regretted by his countrymen, who long and affec-
tionately remembered him, under the appellation
of the Good Regent* The murderer efcaped to
France.
Elizabeth funk the dignity of a "queen in the ex-
cefs of her forrow for the lofc of Murray. She
often {tiled him her beft friend, and fhe lamented
his death as fuch. On the other hand, as Mary,'
had long confidered Murray as her worft enemy, it
may be fuppofed, without breach of charity, that
this accident was far from exciting in her any dif-
agreeable feftfations. It was natural for her to
imagine, that*her party in Scotland, which before
was ftr from i&confiderablcy would n6*r increafe;
and ihe flattered herfelf that it would fboif arrive
at fufficient power, when joined with her friends
on the -continent, to demand her liberty. But into
Whatever dreams of fancied happinefs Mary mio-ht
fcpve heeft luMed by hope, the comforter of the un-
fortunate, and the tempter of the fanguirie, truth*
footi convinced her that fhe was born to'fufFer; and
ere long to drink a cup of forrow, mixed with
every fad cireumftance that could poffibly embit-
ter it. -• :
Scotland, foon after the regent's- death, became
the feat of anarchy. King's men , and queen's men y
were titles of diftmclion ; under which citizen
fought againft citizen, friend againft friend, and
brother againft brother. After an obftinate ftrug-
gle with various fuccefs, the king's party prevailed ;
and holding a convention of their whole ftrength at
Edirtbtrrg, on the 12th of July, they proclaimed
the earl of Lefiojr regent. As Lenox was ; a man
whottv Elizabeth' extremely approved, fhe laboured'
to confirtn his^ regency, by procuring a coalition of
parties! But this was ineffectual : all that fhe was
able to accomplish, was a ceflation of hoftiiitie*
till
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J A M E S VI. 16*
till the ,7$ of Apfil j 57 1 ; during; wHtefe -time » a .
negotoipft w^&jetc^fo^fyT^^ -
enlargement y ^i$h yi by ,&% fc4iy r {Q^^ §(**«& *
commiifioners, wk%yfO\k4 'Iponfeat ^ i\oj^ng^ftati :
tended to fubvert, or even impair the king^^-l
thonty,< ^proved abortive. ^ : > r j ,t - ■/* ;i ) ?n - \ 1 i 3 .
• The ttuce which thefioglifh^u^ril^^>c^re^^
was no fooner expired, thaa pa**yrr?ag%#gn£e.4 fgafe^
as fiercely as ever. ; The queen's,- mx>3 }$fea(ed [ L [
ftrongly, to g^t poijeiiion of the 4ii^^rp^6^ r tiifr j k
they were continually difappoin ted in^ thw at^te^pt^ ^
and expofed to freih inconvenkneies* At 1.3ft* they >
made a bold attempt to furprife the king's p£*?ty*at ,-
Stirling. But though the alarm was- greats the mo^ft ?
confiderable lofs on the king's iide, was in the d^ath .
of Lenox the regent ; who was 4cUled rafter thefhaqV
furrendored, 1- , . f i * ; ,
The earl of. Mar was then chofen to, fill that V
office; andfcy the. moderation, humanity^ and dif*.
intereftednefs of this nobleman, the voice of paFty^
was for fome time filenced ; and it was expected {
that a treaty with Elizabeth would foon take place* ;
which would terminate very favourably for the cap-
tive queen. But Elizabeth had now discovered an
affair, which proved extremely injurious to MapyV
caufe, and rendered the confinement of herperfon,
for fome time, abfolutely necefTary. The duke of
Norfolk, the greateft and the beft beloved fubje&
then in England, though a profeffed proteftant,
appeared to have joined with the pope, and the king
of Spain, in order to introduce popery, and de-
throne. Elizabeth. He himfelf, in due feafon, was
to have been the leader of the revolt; and if the
fcheme fucceeded, Mary, (privy tQ e\*ery circum-
flance) was to be proclaimed queen both of Eng-
land and Scotland, and then, as a reward for this
great fervice, (he was to marry him. Elizabeth had
twice before discovered him to have been a partisan-
for Mary ; but his intentions being then of no very
criminal
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162 New History of SCOTLAND.
criminal nature, flie had forgiven him. But Nor-
folk's third offence, flie thought was of -a nature too
daring and atrocious to merit a pardon./ He ,was
accordingly tried by his peers; and the charge of
treafon appearing fully againft him, he fufFered
death for the crime. . r
Mary was now fo ftri&ly guarded, that even iier
domeftics, whofe number was abridged, were not
fuffered to be left alone with her. Yet in this un-
happy fituation, ihe imagined that a gleam of liberty
ftill beamed upon her. But when fhe underftood,
the following year, that Elizabeths had
1572. entered into a league, offenfive and de-
fenfive, with' Charles the 9th of France,
and tha,t the very mention of her name was therein
omitjted; ihe began to frame her mind to the rigour
of her fate, and to think, as (he declared, of no.
kingd(xm,, but that of heaven. Whatever t*uth
there might be in this declaration, it is very cer-
tain, that Mary was highly difgufted with this al-
liance between France and England; and wbilft
Elizabeth expected the greateft fecurity from it, ,
the, horrid maffacre of protectants, perpetrated a:
few months afterwards, and in which, at Paris
alone, where it commenced, 10,000 wese butchered,
rendered the alliance, in her eyes, equally dange-
rous and disgraceful. All the protectant powers
were greatly alarmed -by this fatal event; and as
Mary's party in Scotland did not wholly coniift of
papift^ niany, on this occafion, in fear for their,
religion, forfook the queen and adhered to the : {e-
gent ; who fleered through the (traits of fa&ioir.
with the greateft, judgment. Had providence .j^ei*
pleafed to have fpared the life of this excellent no*
bJeman, he might Have deftroyed fche diftin£&*n : of
parties, and procured .advantageous ;tenns far the
queen., But before the clofe of .this yea^, fee, fefl ,a
prey to a lingering difalfe j tnd : hi^ ^^jH^hjch
happened
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JAMES VI. 163
happened on the 29th of Oftober, was followed 9
on the 27th of November, by that of the juftly ce-
lebrated John Knox, whofe memory every true
Scotch proteftant muft neceffarily revere. The earl
Morton, who was chofen regent, immediately on
the death of Mar, wasprefent at the funeral or this
zealous, fervent, unwearied divine, and pronounced
his eulogium in thefe words, c< Here lies he, who
never feared the face of man,"
On Morton-s acceffion to the regency, the queen's
party, which daily declined, forefeeing little fuc-
cefs from an opposition, gave up moft of the forti-
fied places in their poffeifion, and retired peacefully
to their eftates ; which had been almoft exhaufted,
to little purpofe, in the queen's fervice. The civil
wars, which had fubfifted five years in Scotland,
were therefore now brought to a period ; and Mary
had not in any part of the kingdom the fhadow of
fovereignty.
But in 1575, the domeftic tranquility of the
kingdom was in fome danger of being di ft urbed by
another caufe. Epifcopacy was not wholly fet
afide : One Andrew Melvil, a man of great learn-,
i^g and , fenfe, having juft returned from Geneva
to his native Country, ftarted a queftion, in a public
aflembly, concerning the authority of chapters, and
the election and order of Bifhops, and declaimed
boldly againft all church-authority not warranted
by fcripture. This raifed a ferment in the nation.
And though the regent had, for political ends,
efpoufed epifcopacy, Melvil afted, and was fup-
ported, with fo much refolution and firmnefs, that
he was obliged to abolifh it, and give? into Melvil's
fcheme of prefbytery.
From this time, Morton's regency grew exceed-
ingly unpopular; and as he was a man of a difpo~
fifion, which delights in the infolence of office* bfr
created himfelf every day new enemies* Th^-earl
of
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i64 New History or SCOTLAND.
of Leno^ fobn appeared" as his o^en foe; ahdf da-
ring their ;fqaaBbie's for two yekrs, James ? the ^bxinjj,
kf/ig^as^bandiedaboutfrom ofte party to^dtlf^
according t6 fte fuccefs df either.; But in ij^
James, being tften in the 15th year ofhis^Ve^
efcape'd from his toils, afferted his authority, arid
terminated the quatreJ. Lenox he received 1 iiitio
favour ; but detefted Mbrton, who was dfeyote^ to
dertruction: Whilft fome plauhbie pretext \rtfas; to
this end diligcntfy fought after - s one cdptam^tewirt
accufed him Of being acceflary, or (as his "wdrds
were)* atfdndjdrt in the murder of lord "DttrHlyV
Morton for this offence was tried^ fountf guilty of
being a cdnfideiit, though not an affrftanr iit th£
murder 5 ahd for that crime beheaded in June i 5^i L j
notwithftanding the queen of England made^power-
ful intercelBon in his behalf. After- feilteiictr Sya£
executed, the hody of this nobleman, who Wa?: 'al-
lowed to have poflefled many virtues, and, coti&&t£
jfble abilities, was thrown by common porters* inio
the burial place of criminals ; and none of 1 'his
friends, it feems, durft attend it, or difcover thehr
affe&ion by the leaft fyinptoms of forrow. ' '" : ;.
Before the execution of this nobleman, Stewart,
his accufer, had been created earl of " Arran f fetrid
now the -friendfhip and favour of James Was equally
ihared* between him and Lenox. ' They v foon
engaged hini fn fuch unpopular meafu res, as dre 1 ^
' againft him a confpifacy of his principal " indHjftj^
aJthough their 1 aim was to bring the ^young king
to a ftnfe'yof Ms error, in giving fo much counte-
nance tftttao fuchuhWorthy faV6uriteit' J '° ' l '" U '
! The tt&or of GlamJs ieized tW kirig kt
1582. Ruthven, who finding h is' ftbert/-jtot to
be procured, either by complaints, ex-
poftulatlons, or threats, burft ' into tears. * " No
matter, cry on, fays Glamis fiercely, better for
children to weep, than bearded men?' In other
matters, he was treated with great refpe&,
though
Digitized by GoOgle
JAMES VI. 165
though guarded at the fame time with the ftri&eft
vigilance.. Scotch hiftonans call this enterprize
The Raid of Ruthven. They committed Arran, the
molt obnoxious to them, inftantly to pnfon 9 hut
before they ventured any further, in Auguil 1582^
they intimidated James to ilgnify an approbation of
his t prefect fituation, to forbid by proclamation all
attej^s againft the perfons concerned in the Raid
o£ R 14 thy en ; and to command Lenox to leave the
kingdom Jbefore the end of September.
The, fame of this exploit foon reached the ears of
Mary, though in the folitude of a prifon. Anxi-
ous for the fafety of her fon, fhe forgot her own
dtftrefs \ and fummoning to her ^id, all the mp-
the** all the queen, (he wrote a long and an excellent
letter to Elizabeth j befoeching bet not to abandon
her fon, or fuffer him to feel any portion, of that
diftreis. which had fallen to the lot of his unjiappy
mother But before Elizabeth had any way interv
pofed iathe behalf of James, he efcaped out of the
hands ofrhe confpirators. But attaching himfelf foon
after to Arran, with as much fondnefs as ever* that
artful favourite perfuaded him to make the confe-
derates acknowledge that they had been guilty of a
faulty in taking ana detaining him fo long a prisoner.
TJjis James, in July 1583, urged them accordingly
to acknowledge, pronaifing, at the fame time, that,
qnfuch a confeilion, they fhould receive a pardon.
But the nobles were too haughty, and top fearful
of Arran's power to make fuch a declaration. They
fled into England, and were received into the pro-
tection of Elizabeth, who interceded fo warmly in
their favour^ that they fhortlv afterwards were par-
doned! without referve, ana returned to Scot-
land.
During the peace and good order which was pre-.
fe^vedJn that kingdom, for the three years t llow T
ing, Elizabeth had been alarmed by no lej& than
four
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i66 New History of SCOTLAND.
four conspiracies againft her life and government,
by! Throgmortcm, Somerville, Chrichtxm, and
Parry ; the laft of whom had often got accefs * tx>
itfr perfon; tho' a fenfe of fear or of duty had
prevented the execution of his horrid defign, iei
fore he was brought to the gallowsw Thefe re-
peated confpiracies made the Englifh exceedingly
fearful for the life of their beloved Sovereign, and*
a* the > fame time, uncommonly felicitous to pre-
ferve it. And believing the unhappy Mary to have
beeA privy to all thefe attempts, they entered into
an aflociation " to defend their queen againft all
Ijer enemies foreign and domeftic ; and if violence
mould bfr offered to her life, in favor ©f any pre-
tender to the crown, they not only engaged never
td .allow or acknowledge the perfon or perfons, by
or forlwhpm fucha deteftable acl fhould be com-
mitted* but vowed, in the prefence of the eternal
•God, to profecute fuch perfon or perfons to death,
and to purfue them to their utter overthrow an4
extirpation."
. This aflbciation was foon after ratified by law^
when it was further enacted; " That if any re-
bellion fhould {>e exqited in tHe kingdom, or any
thing attempted to the hurt of her majefty'si perfon,
by or for any perfon pretending a title to the crown* »
the queen fhould, empower twenty-four perfons, by
a commtffion under the great feal, to examine into,
and pafs fentence upon fuch offences ; and after
judgment given* a proclamation fhould be ifluetf,
declaring the perfons whom they found guilty, ex-
cluded from any right to the crown ; and her ma-
jefty's fubjecls might lawfully purfue evetfy one
of them to death, . with all their aiders -and
abettors : And if any deftgn againft the life of the
queen fhould take effect, the perfons, by or for
whom fuch a deteftable aft was executed, and their
i£ues, being any wife affentingor privy to the fame,
fhould
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JAM E S, VI, 167
Jhcruid be difabied for ever, from ^pceteiiding ^ to
ths cnown, arid be purfued to.death in tihb lrkrc
mann&J' . ..» vfv . .> tv :t..i ,;tj ; rn/.
: AHithis was evidently aimed agairtft Many* who
J*ad lately bden removed toTuthburyv It was in
her confinement at this place, that flic endured
the itaoft cutting affliction. Here fhe received sf
letter,%wn her fon, (who had from his cradle been
tutored to confider her as thevileft of women) m
which* He rtf ufed to acknowledge her to be^queen
of Scotland 3 informed her that his affairs and hers
Were intirely Separate ; and that in the latter he
fhould take no concern. This cruel letter threw
her into unfpeakable agonies. When lhe had a littlfc
recovered herfelfj fhe exclaimed, u Let not my
allies treat him any longer as a king ; he holds
that dignity by my. confent ; and if a fptedy re-
peetance dioes not appeafe my juft refentmenty I
willload him with a parent's curfej and furreftder
Bay. crowj^ with all my pretenfions, to oneywho
will receive them with gratitude, and defend them
with vigor." But this raving was as vague and
as impotent, on the part of the mother^ as the
behavior of the fan was ungenerous and inhuman.
Elizabeth took advantage of the. prefent difpo-
fition of James, to form a league with him, which
was accordingly concluded on the 5th of July, 1586.
It was ofteniive and defenfive; and both parties
bound ihemfelves to defend the proteftant religion*
which, confiderjng the danger it had lately bQtn
expofed to^.was mentioned to be the foundation
of the treaty.
AUthefe preparations render it extremely pro-
bable* ih&t Elh>abeth!s council had refolved to put
to death the Scottifh queen, on the very firft oc^
caiion that fliould be given. The laft feature was
peculiarly fevere againlt her. The words by or for ,
which had been fo carefully inferted therein, was
a trap,
4
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i68 New History of SCOTLAND.
a trap, from which it was impoffible that Mary
could ever avoid. It made her very life a for-
feiture for any defign, wkich, without her know-*
ledge, might be formed .by fome zealous or u mod-
headed partisan. And it was not long <*re fi*e"b a
cirou&ftance, thro' the inconfiderate affe&ioji of
the £n^li4h papifte actually tranfpired. This &
known in Engiifli hiftory by the name of Ba~
iingttn's ctnfpiwcy*
One Savage, a papift of the moft Aery zeal,
believing the bull of pope Pius the 5th againft
EUzafaetft, to be really dictated by the Holy Ghoft,
concluded that to deftroy the life of an excom-
municated heretic, would be to perform a very
acceptable fervice to Heaven. Accordingly he
bound himfelf by a folemn vow to kill Elizabeth,
and imparted his purpofe to one Anthony Babington
of Dcrbyftiire, a perlbn of an handfc<me"fortune and
many amiable qualities, but withal a bigotted
papift, and violent in. his attachment to Mary, to
whom he had been recommended when in France
by the archbifcop of Glafgow. He exhorted Sa-
vage to be fecret and fteady in his defign y and he
himfelf in the mean time opened the affair to
Windfor, Tetchboume, Barnwell, Salisbury, Til-
ney, Travers, Gharnock, Dun, Gage, Jones and
Polly, all perfons of confiderable fortunes. Savage
mean while had taken care to inform his prieft
Ballard. In June 1586 they met and held many
confutations. Savage with Tetchboume, Abing-
ton, Barnwell, Charnock and Tilney were to
murder Elizabeth. Babington himfelf undertook
to refcue Mary, while Salisbury and the reft were
to excite the papifts in the feveral counties of
England in her behalf, and at the fame time effec-
tually to crufh the proteftants, an invafion was to
be made from Spain. They gloried fo much in
their fcheme, that to perpetuate the memory of it,
-4. Babington
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JAMES VI, 169
Babington had a pi&ure drawn containing the
portraits of the fix affaffins, with that of himfelf in
the middle incirclcd by the motto, Qnorfam h*c p
ate* properantibus ?
But though the confpirators appear by this wanton
piece of vanity, not to have miftrufted the fidelity
of an* of their colleagues, Polly from time to time
acquainted Walfingham, Elizabeth 's^fecretary, with
«veiy circumftance of their infernal fd*eme. ^ £tfc>
zabeth faw the very pidure and knew the face o^
Barnwell. It was Walfingham's intention, in
order to dtfcover the bottom of the plot, to watt
till it was almoft ripe for execution ; but the
queen, unwilling to endanger her fnbiefb, or to
tempt her own rate any further* iffued out orders
to cruih it by arrefting the authors. Accordingly
Ballard, who was the principal and moft a&ive
agent, was firft apprehended j 011 the notice of
Which the others attempted toefcape; but they
were all, except Windfor, foon feized in feveral
parts of die kingdom j brought to trial, and exe-
cuted as traitors.
Upon the firft notice of this conspiracy, Mary,
.who was fufpeded, had 1 been removed to Fothe-
ringay-caftle in Northamptonfhire. Babington, in
his trial, confeffed that he had both written to, and
received many letters from her on the fubjeft of
the plot, and that (he approved of every part.
This declaration was confirmed by her own fecre-
taries, Naue and Curie, who declared that they
bad read and fent fueh letters by her orders. The
Erfghfh council, therefore, determined to try her
upon the a& which they had lately made in their
atfbciation; and a commiffion was accordingly
iffued for forty peers and five judges to try, and
pafs fentence upon Mary, daughter and heir of
James the 5th of Scotland, commonly called queen
of Scots, and-dowager of France, They arrived
I at
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i;o New History of SCOTLAND.
at Fotheringay on the nth of O&ober, and pr&»
* fented a letter from Elizabeth to the Scottifh
t queen, which commanded her to fubmit to a triaL
Whilit the letter was read to Mary, flie appeared
perfectly corhpofed, and though furprized at the
meflage, was no way unmindful of her dignity.
In the moft folemn manner fhe protefted her
. innocence, and complained . that every danger*
which at any time threatened Elizabeth, was al*-
.ways imputed to her. She declared that flie was
.3 queen, as well as Elizabeth, an ^bfolute, inde-
. pendent queen, and therefore fhe wondered that
Elizabeth fhould command her, as a l fubjec~t, to
, fubmit to the laws of England, which {lid no *
.extend to her, wtrich fhe was not acquainted with*
•and from which fhe had never reaped the leaft
benefit. Finally, fbe declared that Englifh fubjects
.were not her peers, and therefore that fhe would
vnot be tr^ed by them; protefting that fhe would
.buffer a thoufand deaths rather than own herfelf
to be the fubje£t pf.any prince on earth. She offered
however to clear her conduct before a full parlia-
ment, ,or before the commifftoners themfelves,
• provided they were not confidered as her judges.
:At length an argument urged by Hatton, the vice-
chamberlain, that, " by avoiding a trial, fhe would
injure her reputation and deprive herfelf of a fair
. opportunity of fetting her innocence in the cleareft
light," prevailed upon her to comply with the
.command vof Elizabeth ; who Hatton further
aflured her, would be rejoiced to find that the ac-
cufations agahift her were groundlefs.
Mary, whofe refolution was thus ftaggered by
the anxious, defire of vindicating her honour, at-
tended to the charge which the qneen's attorney and
iblicitor opened- againft her. Copies of her letters
to Babington were produced, together with Ba-
bington's confeffion, and the declarations of her
. two
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/ J A M E -S VI. .in
two fecretaries. Serjeant Gaudy therefore charged
)ier with knowing, approving and confenting to
r Babin.gton*s confpiracy. In reply to which, ha-
' ving firft lamented her unhappy fituation, — a weak
,defencelefs woman, — obliged, without the affi-
fiance of council^ or the advice of a fingle friend,
to plead her own defence—; Having afferted, with
great • truth and juftice, that thefe were privilege^
fallowed even to the meaneft criminals, fhe again
declared her ignorance of every tittle of Babington's
.plot. She intimated that his confcflion might
have been extorted by the rack; and the fame in
regard to Her fecretaries, with whom fhe defired
.to be confronted. She cited the commiffioners to
prove from her papers, which were in their cuftody,
.anything in fupport of their charge under her own
hand^writing. , To nothing elfe would fhe give
credit; for, her cyphers (he faid might eafily be
counterfeited. Having thus denied the charge,
fhe owned, that, during her long confinement, fhe
had often, with an earneftnefs natural to an human
. being, folicited her friends to procure her liberty;
and if this were imputed to her. as a crime, fhe muft
plead guilty. .
The court after having fat feveral days, adjourned
to the 25th of October at the ftar-chamber in
•Weftminlter. Here Naue and Curie having again,
fworn to the letters and, copies, which had been
-produced, the commiflioners proceeded to pafs fen-
tence. They declared her " to be acceffary to
BabingtonV confpiracy, and to have imagined
divers matters, . tending to the hurt, death, and
deftruction of Elizabeth, contrary to the exprefs
words of the ftatute, made for the fecurity of the
queen's life."
, It muft be owned that in conducting this trial
,$Jiere were many irregularities. Babing:on and his
>£iR>ciates mjght have been fpared for a few weeks,
la ,'nx
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172 New History of SCOTLAND.
in order to have confronted her j and Naue and
Curie fhpuld have appeared on the trial; but in
fhort, t^e'Iinglifh appear to have been bent on the
de{tru$ion of Mary, and to have ftuck at no pro-
ceedings however irregular, which tended any
way to compleat it. >
T^he' parliament, which met on the 20th of
October, approved the fentence j and publifhing a
declaratfori, that it did not in the leaft derogate
from the title and honor of king James, they
addref^ed her majefty to put it in execution. Eliza-
beth, though. in all probability as defirous of Mary's
death, as thofe who petitioned her on the account,
ftveral times evaded their requeft. At laft, after
fever^l'of her nobility h»d thrown themfelves on
thei^lcnees, and conjured her to conftder that the
life ' 4f. Mary .was. incompatible with her own
fafety, and opth t,he civil and religious liberty of
her ^ingdom, fhe difrniffed the farce and yielded
to thpir entreaties. Davifon, who . had been ap-
pointed Secretary of ftate, received the death
warrant, which fhe laboured afterwards to make
the people imagine, was executed without her
knowledge, and contrary to her intention j and in
the fe^uel fhe punifhed him for dilbbedience, in
delivering it to the earls of Shrewfbury and Kent,
to whom it was dire&ed, and who were ordered
forthwith to put it in force.
The two earls, accompanied by the high-lheriff
of the county, arrived at Fotheringay on the 7th
of February 1587, and warned the queen of her
approaching fate. Several feeble attempts to fave
her, had been made by France, Spain, and her fon
James ; but Mary had placed no confidence in fuch
interceffions, knowing the envious difpofition of
her rival Elizabeth, the had prepared herfelf for
death, from the firft moment that the parliament
had : approved the fentence. When fhe was
therefore
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JAM
therefore informed, that fhe muft die tfie;i
ing, it is faid fhe heard the cruel man^atfe
emotion. " That foul, fays (he, i$ abt vWrdijf qf
the joys of heaven, which repines becaufe '£h& body
mult endure the ftroke of the executioner'; and
though I did not €xpe& that the queen of England
would fet the firft example of violating the iacred
perfon of a fovereign prince, I willingly fufiniit
to that which providence lias decreed to be my
lot." Having uttered this fentence. fhe placed 1 her
hand upon a bible, which cafualfv lay by her,
and protefted her ignorance of Bamngtoh's con-
spiracy.
When Kent and Shrewsbury had Withdrawn,
her domeftics flocked around her, and teftifiea their
affe&ion and forrow by a flood of tears, in the
utmoft ferenity fhe endeavoured to cqihpdte a^nd
comfort them. She then fell on her knees, im-
plored heaven, now that her fufferings were ap-
proaching towards a period, fhe might receive aid
to endure what remained with decency, and with.
fortitude. She fpent the reft of the evening in
fettling her affairs. With her own hand fhe wrote
her will, in which fhe bequeathed her money,
cloaths, and jewels, among her fervants, accord-
ing to their refpe&ive rank and merit. She ate her
ufual fupper, and difcourfed, during the whole
time, with chearfulnefs. At her wonted hour fhe
retired to reft, and enjoyed it calmly a few hours.
In the morning, after fome time fpent in devotion,
flie dreft herfelf moft elegantly in mdurning. At
her neck, by a pomander chain, hung an agnus
Dei ; at her girdle appeared her beads, and in her
hand an ivory crucifix. Thus attired fhe waited
calmly for the meflengers of death ; who came
about eight o'clock and conduced her to the
fcafFold. After much entreaty fhe had prevailed
on the two earls to allow fir Andrew Melvil, the
I 3 mafter
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172 New Histo*^
• a ♦ ^ yCOTLAND.
in order^^ v >< ,^
£ther with her phyfician,*
two maid fervants, to
tffm their laft offices. The
erected in the great-hall, about
le ground, and its furniture, were
'black. She mounted the fteps with'
£fs, furveyed the block and the axe un-
hand having crofTed -herfelf, fhe with great
compofure fat down in a chair. She liftened to
the warrant for her execution, which was then
read, with fuch an air as fignified % that her thoughts
were otherways engaged. Having been denied a
pricit fhe refilled, to join in devotion with the dean 4
of Peterborough -, but falling on her knees, fhe re-
peated a prayer in latin. After which, raifing her
voice, fhe prayed in englifh for the profperity of
the catholic church, and her fon, and for Elizabeth.
Then lifting up, and killing the crucifix, flie thus
addrefled it, " As tby arms, O Chrift, were ex-
tended upon the crofs, fo, with the out-ftretched
arm^ of thy mercy, receive * me, and pardon my
tranfgreflions." Having finifhed . her devotions,
ihe ordered her women to prepare her for the block ;
and the two executioners rudely offering to affift,fhe
gently bade them to forbear, faying fhe had not
been ufed to undrefs thus publicly, or to have fuch
perfons as they were, for valets and the grooms of
her chamber. Her gown and doublet being taken
ofT, fhe embraced all her fervants and fmilingljr
bade them farewell. A linen handkerchief was
tied round her eyes, and then Mary, with the
calm and undaunted fortitude which became a
Scotch fovereign, laid her head on the block, and
beg*an ta rehearfe the 31ft pfalm. And having
repeated the 5th verfe, " Into thine hands I com-
mit my fpirit ; thou haft redeemed me, Q LonF
God of truth" which was the fignal given ; whilft
one executioner held her hands, the other at the
fecond
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, J AMES VI. " 175
fecorid ftroke cut off her head. And holding it
up, ftill fpouting* her blood, the deam cried out,
« So perifh all queen Elizabeth's enemies," but-
every fpedtator, except him and the earl of. Kent, .
being drowned in tears, that nobleman alone an«n.
fwered, amen.
,.Thus fell in the 46th year of her age; and the.
iiJth of her captivity Mary Stuart, que. en* x^F Scot-
land and of France, purfuant to a Sentence,;
"the juflice of which muft ever b£ problema-
tical. J?ar,ty writers' have given her the moft op-
posite characters. - Some afcribe to her the pof-
feffion of all virtues; whilft others impute to her
all the vices, with whicji human, nature can
poffibly abound. But her real character is neither
tp be found in the lavifhing encomiums of the one, -
nor in the virulent cenfures of the other. To attri-
bute all the calamities which befel her, to misfortune,
would be as faulty, as to place them wholly to the
account of imprudence. She was both imprudent :
and unfortunate ; particularly in her marriage with -
Darnly. Her attachment to Rizio was beneath ;
the dignity of a queen* - However brutally ihe
might have been treated by Darnly, honor, pru-
dence, and juftice called upon her not to coun-
tenance his murderers. Whether the letters found
in the filver box were genuine or not, or whether »
fhe was actually the contriver of her hufband's
murder; few have attempted to palliate the atro- ;
cious crime of marrying Bothwell, the very ; man,
whom the nation in general fufpe&edof havings
cemmitted the barbarous deed, and who, on his.
death-bed, protefted that their fufpicions were not -
tfnjuft. For this (he defervedly loft the love of her V
fubjecls ; who deprived her of her crown in >
rnanner which amply fhewed that this fatal ftep* f
which includes her ftrong attachment to, popery,; ;
was the occafion of it; their own difintercftednefs
1 4. appearing
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176 New History of SCOTLAND.
appearing in choofing her fon to fucceed her, at a^
time when they might eafily have thrown the go-
vernment into a different channel. The legality of
the fentence by which fhe was executed, has been
already called in queftion ; but as it is impolnble to*
exculpate Mary from a privity and concurrence to
fome of the many plots againft Elizabeth, perhaps
the policy of government neceflarily dictated fuch
a cruel meafure. If the cafe be changed, by fup-
pofing Mary's fchemes to have taken place, there
is little reafon to imagine any other, than that Eli-
zabeth would herfelf nave fallen a facrifice ; there-
fore though one would be far from approving fuch
. rigorous precaution, the reader if he finds himfelf
difpofed greatly to blame the Englifli queen for
her feverity, may confider, that in every fituation,
felf-defence is the firft law of nature.
The perfon of Mary was tall, her fhape elegant,
and the air of her countenance unfpeakably beau-
tiful. Skilled in every female art and accomplifli-
ment which makes beauty iirefiftible, and being
at the fame time polite, infinuating, fprightly, and
affaWc, fiie was not fo much an auguft queen as
an agreeable woman. None of her fervants was
fisfcred to approach her corpfe, which for fome
days lay in a room, near the place of execution,
covered with an old cloth torn from a billiard-table.
Every thing which was ftained with her blood was
burnt. Her body foon after was interred, with
royal pomp, in die cathedral church of Peterbo-
rough! but when her fon James afcended the-
Englifli throne it was removed to Weftminfter-
abbev, and depofited amongft the monarch* of
England,
King James was her only iflue by Darnly 5 and
by Bothwell, (he had a daughter who was a nun
at Notre Dame <te Soiflbns,
James
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JAMES VI. 177
James knew his own intereft too well, to quarrel
with the Englifh fpr their cruelty to his mother:
At'firft indeed he bluftered a little ; but as Eli-
zabeth pretended that Davidfon her fecretary,
whom ihe drove from her prefence and fined in
1 0,000 L had executed the warrant without her
privity, nay contrary to her exprefs order and in-
tention, he admitted this excufe and appeared
perfectly fatisfied. And that he really was fo, is
evident from his firm attachment to Elizabeth
during the dangerous year 1588, in which James,
his nobility, and his clergy, in imitation of the
Israelites of old, entered into a folemn covenant
for the defence of the protectant religion againft
every enemy, foreign or domeftic.
But previous to this covenant James had per-
formed ah exploit truly magnificent and royal. He
had long obferved the mortal, and almoft hereditary
feuds which fubfifted among many of the greateft
families in his kingdom. And from his natural
Jpve of peace* from his high regard to prerogative,
and from anxiety for the welfare of his kingdom,
which their violent differences tended not a little
to weaken, he exerted a noble effort to reconcile
them. The parties at variance met each other by
Jiis order at the palace of Holyrood-houfe ; where
at a fplendid entertainment he had provided for
them, he prevailed with thefe haughty and adverfe
chiefs ttx ceafe their difcord and mutually to pro-
anife him the moft perfeft harmony. From thence,
with James at their head, by his defire, they pa-
raded in pairs, each hand in hand with his enemy,
thro* the principal Streets of Edinburg. At the
.public crofs, he had prepared for them a collarion
"pf wine and fweetmeats, and there they drank to
each other reciprocal forgivenefs and future friend*
;4Mp. From thence they returned in the fame order,
jflttrudft the cswfcnual acclamations of the people, who
Wh*>'~ I 5 were
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178 New History of SCOTLAND.
were elated beyond meafure at a fpe&acle fo tin-
ufual, and who cherlflied the fondeft wifees for the
fincerity of this defirable reconciliation:
James having thus united the ftrength of his
kingdom, kept hisfubjc&s under arms, t6 hinder
the ipaniards from landing in an hoftile manner in
his dominions; though after their armada^ which
they arogantly called invincible^ had been defeated by
the Englifh fleet, James with great humanity re-
ceived upwards of 700, who in returning hom«>
round Scotland had fuffered fliipwreck on that
dangerous and unknown coaft.
England being freed from the moft terrible ap-
prehenfions, by the deftruftion of the armada, Eli-
zabeth in the warmeft manner thanked James for
his fteady attachment to her, during that important
g'ifrs. And James having now alfo nothing to fear
om Philip (to whofe flattering promifes,he had
'replied that he expe&ed no other favor from him
than, as Polyphemus promifed Ulyfles, to be made
his laft morfel;) he made overtures of marriage
to the eldeft daughter of Frederick the fecondj
king of Denmark. But s by the blunders of his
miniiters, who as fome fay were bribed by Eli-*
zabeth, and wilfully perplexed the affair; Fre-
derick, believing that he was trifled with, gave that
princefs to the duke of Brunfwick. James, how-
■ ever, who was bent on an alliance with that fa-
mily, paid his addrefles to the fecond daughter, 1
Anne ; and the marriage, notwithstanding the
efforts of Elizabeth to prevent it, was accordingly
agreed upon and performed by proxy. The fleet,
in which the princefs embarked for Scotland, being,
hy a violent ftorm, driven back to Norway ; and
tidings coming, that probably it would not be m
a condition to put to fea again, before the "next
fpring, James, who with the impatience of a lover
had expe&ed her arrival, refolving not to be' baffled
v. ~ a fecond
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J A ME S VI. i 79
aTecond time, fitted out a>few ilnps, *n& Wlt ^ a
gallantry extremely oppofite tolu* general chara&er,
failed in queft of his bride. 1 fT ,
Arriving at Upfal, where (he then tefided,
he on the 23d of November efpoufed her -, and
after fpending feveral months in a round of plea-
fures at the court of Denmark, James and his
queen, on the ift of May 1590, arrived fafely
.at Leigh. The people, who during the king's,
abfence had preferved the moft orderly, behavior*
hailed their , fovereign with joyous affedtion. At-
tjie folemnity of the queen's coronation, whi<?h on
the 17th of die feme month was conducted with
great pomp, it is worth remarking the contempt into
which epifcopacy had fallen, that no Whop was,
prefent ; the moft material parts of the ceremony
* being performed by Robert .Bruce, a prefbyterian
miniiter of great reputation. The queen made
her entry into Edinburg by the weftern gate ; and
in her pompous parade to the palace, through the
principaWtreets of the city, forty- two young gen*
tlemen, richly clad after the Moorifh fafhion, danced
before her.
At court, for two months, all was mirth and
feftivity. • But when the Danifh* nohjes and gentry*
who accompanied the queen in her voyage, had
taken their leave, inftead of the delightful cairn,
which James had fondly but foolifhly imagined
would enfue, there fpeedily arofe a hurricane of
the worft evils with which an ariftocratical consti-
tution can poffib y abound. Thro' the king's unr
ceafing pailion for pomp, pleafures-, and fports $— -
thro' the inftant inforcement of his own hafty re-
foives, and the indolence in executing the maturer
ones of his council ;— thro' the difregard of real
crimes, and his unremitting cruelty in punifhii^g
the imaginary ones of witchcraft and magic, in
which he firmly believed, and on account of which
fome
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180 New HlifroRY *f BOQTLAKD.
fome pcr&a> or other •continually differed ?**-and
tiro/ hw)gcntcahcredulity r ' the conceit of his own
atbilnies^snE his vwant of fterling courage :~*The
clergy > became discontented, the nobility were di-
vided,the barofts grew poor, and the commons ^ers
opprefled.^ Heavy taxes were levied, and badly ap?
plied. ? and as this was a circumftance particularly
e^afperaiing, laws were broken^ proclamations dip-
obeyed^difajft&ion followed, and rapine and murder
became £he confequence. j ••
Amongft the many perfons executed
1591- by James for their fuppofed necromancy,
". vfome had accufed Francis Stewart, created
by James, earl of Bothweli, as making frequent in-
quiries of them concerning the king s fate 5 white
others, having loft their reafon by the tortures to
which they were put, declared, that at thet iflfti-
gation of that nobleman, they had raifed the ftorms
which had alarmed his majefty, and endangered the
life of his queen. Bothwdl, on this evidence* was
lodged in prifon. From thence, by intoxicating
Iris keepers, he foon made his efcape; and being
of a -faint too turbulent and haughty to brook fuch
an indignity, the fuiFering of which he attributed
to the artifices of his enemy Maitland the chan-*
cellor, he formed a defign of becoming matter both
of him ajid his majefty. In this defign, which he
put in execution on the 27th of December, he had
certainly fucceeded, if the citizens of Edinburg,
alarmed at the uproar in die palace, to which,
through a private pafiage, he had gained accefs by
die treachery of fome of the king's attendants, had
tlot run ifeedily to their arms; their timely inter-
pofition delivered both James and his* chancellor
from imminent danger^ and the followers of Both- ,
well being routed, he himfelf, Under the cloud of
night, with fome difficulty made his efcape.
The
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r f J A T M E S VI. m
The boW. earl Ifed precipitately towards the
north; i and James ordered the carl of Huntley to
purfue him and bis followers, with all the wrath
of vengeance. In fuch commiffions as thefe, #
general officer had the opportunity of gratifying his
private revenge • and Huntley, being at perfottaTea-
mity, with the earl of Murray, under pretence of
executing a part of his commiffion, co^fumed the
boufe, and took away the life of that good noble-,
man, who was efteemed the handfomeft and mod
accomplifhed man in Scotland ; he was alfo heir
*o Regent Murray, whofe memory was ftill affec-
tionately .revered by the people. They therefore
rofe tumultuoufly, {hook off all refpaft for men in
power, and a report (fome fay not without foun-
dation) being induftrioufly circuited, that this
murder was .perpetrated with the connivance and.
.*vcri by order of the king, who, it "was publickly
talked, was jealous of him, becaufe the queen a few
days before had (aid many things in his favor 3 they,
Iskewife openly infulted his majefty.
- Though die magiftrates prevented their doing any
mifchief, they threatened James fo much that he
thought fit to leave Edinburg, and to retire for
fome time to Glafeow. But this popular clamor
fopn fubfided: Huntley furcendered himfelf to
juftice ; hut whether James was really an accefiary,
or whether from the power of the chancellor with
whom Huntley was clofely conne&ed, he was not
fo much as tried} and Murray's death, notwith-
Handing the dangerous appearance but a few days
before, pafled off, unrevenged, and unregarded,
fo fickle are the commonalty.
The king had now loft much of his po-
pularity. His toleration ofpapifts infpired *59 2#
the clergy with a belief that he inclined to popery.
Indeed they faw that he too much favoured the
popifh faction i therefore they thought that this
was
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i«2 New History or SCOTLAND.
was the time to infift on the repeal of thofe fevefe
laws, which, m 1584, a venal miniftry had enafted, '
and which were then evidently framed to overturn
the conftitution as well as the difcipline of their
reformed church. To procure thefe acts of par-
liament, the inventors had recourfe to the moft
illegal methods. In the firft place, by oaths of
fecrecy from the lords of articles they were carefully
concealed from the knowledge of the clergy them-
felves ; again, when fome of theminifters, who had
received hints of what was tranfa&ing behind the
curtain, had ordered one of their number to inform -
the king of their apprehenfions, he was feized at
the pakce-gate and hurried away to prifon ; and
further, fuch as it was imagined would oppofe the
bills, were detained on various pretences, orrefufed
admittance. By thefe iniquitous means, it was
then enacted <c that refufing to acknowledge the
jurifdi&ion of the privy-council ; — pretending an
exemption from the authority of the civil courts ;
— attempting to diminifh the rights and privileges
of any of the three eftates in parliament, were
a&ions which amounted to high-treafon. The
holding aflemblies, whether civil or eccleliaftical,
without the king's permiflion or appointment , and
uttering either privately, or publicly, in fermons
or in declamations, any falfe and fcandalous re-
ports againft the king, his anceftors or minifters,
vWere pronounced in like manner to be capital
crimes."
As the pulpit, and church judicatories, had ever
fince the reformation been efteemed facred ; and as
the clergy had, in the former, ufed unbounded lir
berty, and, in the latter, abfolute and independent
juri/di&ion, they considered thefe ftatutes as moft
galling fetters on their privileges, and therefore they
determined to feize the firft opportunity to ftrike
them off. They juftly thought that no feafon
could
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J A M E S > VI. 183
could' be more favorable than the preferitf fdt be-
fides the unpopularity of the ki fig, Both well was
ftilHri the' kingdom, encouraged and fupported by'
the en&hies of the chancellor, whofe condudt had
rendered him extremely odious to all ranks of
people. Thus circumftanced, James was tinder a
neceility of giving way to his clergy, who pufhed
their demands with great vigor. So that in a very
little time all the hated a&s refpe&ing their order,
in 1584, were either totally aboliflied and refcinded,'
<&* explained in fuch <a manner, as gave general fa-,
tisfa&ibn. And the fame parliament, at the exprefs^
inftance of the clergy, the*' mudh againft the in^'
clination of the king (whofe high notions of pre-
rogative, mad^r him exceedingly averfe to any fyitem
which was calculated to maintain the liberty of
tfae<fubje&) eftablifhed in the moft ample mariner,"
teneral ajTemblies, provincial fynods, prefbyteries,*
irk feffions, in fhort, every branch of prelbyterian
church government. In this parliament alfo, Both-,
well:, who had endeavoured to feize the king at
Falkland, was attainted, together with all his
adherents. . l *i
But a confpiracy was now difcovered which
ftruck a general alarm throughout the kingdom.
Philip of Spain, piqued, but not difheartened at
the deftrucSion of his arrogantly-ftiled invincible
armada, had conceived a defign (being convinced
of Elizabeth's fuperiority at fea) of invading Eng-'
land, through Scotland ; at the' fame time to divide
the force of the Engl ilh queen, and to diftraft her
councils, he intended to fit out a fquadron which
was to make a defcent on Cornwall. * For this end,!
his emiflaties were making a powerful party ahiongft
the papifts in Scotland. As George Ker, brother
to the lord'Newbottle, had been eafily gained, and
was exceedingly bufy in Philip's interelt, the zeal
Vfilh which he ailed, laid him open to fufpidon^
and
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184 N*w History of SCOTLAND.
and hCiiittis ftized juft on the pojnt of hi$ em rv '
barking for Spain- His papers being parched*,,
there appeared amongft them feveral blank*, %ne4
by the eatfls of Angus, Huntley, and Arrol. K^r .
being put to the torture, confeffed that thefe blanks,
wereibr the iervice of Philip, and that he, together
withi CricJtfon and Tyrie, two jefuits, hadojrd^rs
from thefe ndfejemen to fill them up with pffers of
their moil faitJifiU fervices to that monarch j di-
re&ing>him *o land his forces either in Galloway
Or at the mouth of the Clyde ; promifing that they
lhould ^there be joined by them and the other ca-
tholics in the kingdom ; and that then, having
firfr re-eftahlifhed popery in Scotland, they would
proceed to fubdue England. His confeffion was
afterward* confirmed by Barclay of Ladyland, and
fir David Graham of Fintry, wnom he had accufed
as being privy to the whole fcheme.
On this difcovery, the minifters of Edinburg
were uncommonly alarmed, and particularly a&ive.
Their great apprehenftons, and their zeal for pro-
teftantiun, hurried them into anions, which, if
not infolent, (as fome have called them} were
however unbecoming. Inftead of petitioning, .
which was their duty, they ventured to piefcribe,
and almoft inftfted, that no confideration fhoujd
induce the king to pardon the authors of fo de-
teftable a treafon. James, though highly offended at
this a&ivity in his clergy, which he conftrued to
be over-officious, and an encroachment on his pre-
rogative, was obliged to temporize, and adopt their
plan. He marched in perfon againft the three
earls, who, qegle&ing his fummons to furrender
themfelves, had taken refuge in the highlands.
Having placed garrifons in all their caftks, ; and i
obliged- their yajTals, as well as all the barons in -
the counties thro' which he pailed, to Atbfcribe v*
bond of loyalty to himfelf, and of firm adheitnce
to
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JAMES VI. * 1*5
to the reformed religion, he left behind -him the T
earls of Athol and Marfhall, as his lieutenants^
and returned home. He then' tried Graham,- whov
befog by his peers found guilty of mifprifion x>fv
treafan, was beheaded. But Ker efcaped from his,-:
confinement ; and as the ferment in the nation waa
now pretty much fubfided, James, according to his. *
ufual indulgence to papifts, made ufe of no method*
towards bringing him to juftice, any more th*ui
the three earls by whom he had been employed. **
Mean time he proceeded againft Bothwell (who
was a proteftant, and who had lately appealed t
within a mile of Edinburg at the head of ^do- *
horfe, but was repulfed by the citizens erf Edin-
burg) with all that rancour, which hatrcdiwhen
mingled' with fear can infpire an ungenerous breaft.
He had retired to the north of England, from
whence, at the inftance of James,, he was ferretted
out by Elizabeth, who was neverthelefs highly dif-
pleafed wi th every ftep of the king's late condu£f.
She indeed confldered the negle& of James in pu-
nifhing the popifh lords as a tacit acknowledge-
ment that he approved their defigns j and (he had
joined the wilhes of the people in advifing him to
hang them up as examples of terror for the future.
All the rigor however which James could be per-
fuaded to exercife towards them, was, to drop all
profecution and enquiry refpe&ing their corref- *
pondence with Philip, and to allow them the al-
ternative of either renouncing the errors of popery,
or of quitting the kingdom. But the rebels, with >
the greateft audacity, refufed to perform either,
continued openly their treafonable correfpondence,
and bade him defiance. But at laft, to wipe off
Elizabeth's fufpicion, James proceeded againft
them fo rigoroufly, that they were driven out of
the kingdom.
Ti*
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iU6- Niw HisToRtbp SCOTLAND.
The King's relu&ance to perform thiYheceffary?
meafure, together with the unfeemly lenity, which,'
on other occafions he had manifested towards the
papifts in general, whilft he* was a profeffed pro-
teftant, arid had actually inlifted himfelf a difputfant
with the church of Rome in defence of his faith,
makes his conduct, in religious affairs, till the mo-
tives are difclofed, appear wholly enigmatical.
James, -after his arrival at years of maturity,
aimed at an excefs of* refinement, in which, he.
ufed to fay, the great fecret of king-craft confifted.
Knowing himfelf to be the undoubted heir tp the
throne of England, and that the proteftants there
would moft readily receive him as fuch ; yet as
he knew that Spain, and other popifh powers,
might, on the deceafe of Elizabeth, make fome
plaufible pretences alfo to that crown, he chofe
jiot to irritate the whole body of papifts, by pu-
nifhing feverely a, few individuals, how much- •
foever they might deferve it, left, in cafe of any
oppofition to his acceffion to the Englifh throne,
they ihould unite againft him \ but, on the con-
trary, that by treating them with lenity before
hand, they would, on fuch an oppofition, unani-
moufly fupport him. This explanation will ferve
to unriddle the feeming abfurdity of the king's.
former, as well as fubfequent conduct, both to-
wards proteftants, and papifts. - But, unhappily,
the genius of the times was fuch, that the king's
theory would by no means admit of practice;
while he favoured one party, he excited jealoufy
and a turbulent fpirit in the other; and by en-
deavoring to acommodate himfelf to the perfuafions >
of each, he fatisfied neither, but being entangled ■
by his own artifice, he was alternately either duped,
Or bullied by both. »
Towards the clofe of this year, Both- i
^595' well, harraffed in every quarter, and in
his
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J A M E* S VI. il 7 x
rfijrdiftrefs deferred by hfs followers, fled* for fafety
firft to France and then to Spain and Italy j where .
embracing popery, the future incidents of his- life:
in thofe kingdoms (for James would never fuffer .
him *to return, or hearken to any overtures in his
behalf) were diftinguifhed only by the meaneft
debauchery. Near this period, alfo, the king loft
his chancellor ; and as he really loved him and :
was fond on every occafion to exercife the powers
of his pen, he honoured him with an elegy, and*
which, for that age, is far from a contemptible-
performance.
As Elizabeth was now well advanced
in years, James began to reflect, that 1596. ^
mould her death happen whilft he was
act variance with Angus and the other two popifh •
lords, who were furrounded during their refidence.
abroad by Philip's emiflaries ; they might join the :
Spanifh king, and, at the fame time, make a di- •
vifiori amongft his own fubj eels, in order to pre-
vent his fucceflion ; he therefore permitted their*
Wives to occupy their houfes, and enjoy the re-
venues of their eftates. And as this indulgence .
ihfpired them with fentiments of the king's re--
fuming favor, they accomplifhed his wifhes by
prefenting a petition to him, in which they im-.
plored his licence to return to the kingdom and>
refide on their eftates ; offering to abjure popery:
and give ample fecurity for their future good be-
havior.' James, who had a compliance with this:
petition very much at heart, haftily affembled a.
convention of the eftates ; and as in this cafe he*
took care that but few, and fuch as were moft
devoted to his will fliould be prefent, he acquainted)
them with the fubject for their deliberation, andr
the petition was granted. *
: But previous to this, James, who had in vain/
endeavored to borrow money of Elizabeth, foun*
* himfelf
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1 88 New History of SCOTLAND.
himfelf under the neceffity to diveft himfelf of his
natural (loth, and to apply for fome time, to bu-
finefs. He was really fopoor, that, to raife a
fupply for his Jate expeditions againft Bothwell,
and the popifh lords, he had been forced to pawn
his jewels. His exchequer was now at the loweft
ebb j and as. his exceffive love of expenfive plea-
Aires, and his many needy dependants, made him
unfit to be trufted with even his own money $ he
feems to have been fenfible of it, and to have feen
the neceffity pf committing the care of his finances
to fome perfons of known abilities, worth, and
frugality. He therefore pitched upon Alexander
lord Urquhart, prefident of the college of juftice,
Walter Stewart, commendator of Blantyre, and
lord privy-feal, David Carnegy of Colluthy, John
Lindfey, minifter of Marnmore, James Elphing-
fton of Innernity, Thomas Hamilton of Drum-
carny, John Skene, clerk-regifter, all lords of
feffion, and Peter Young, his almoner. Thefe
eight gentlemen, who were committed to this im-
portant truft, were, from their number, deno-
minated Oft avians. They were invefted with fuch
great power, as amounted to the whole executive
part of government. Every lucrative and hono-
rable office fell into their hands, and the courtiers
complained that the king himfelf held now nothing
to difpofe of. However as the utmoft harmony
was obferved, the king's taxes and revenues were
regularly received, and frugally, as well as regu-
larly applied, fo that money foon flowed into the
exchequer apace.
But if the courtiers difliked the o&avians, the
clergy, who were in general poor, beheld them,
with averfion. Befides, fome of thefe o&avians
were avowed papifts. This circumftance made the;
clergy extremely froward againft the king, but
When they heard that he had recalled the popifh
lords
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) A Si E S VI. ;%>
lords, they loft all temper ; and white they loudly
inveighed againft the treafon of others, the^rjiijd^g-
nation and zeal, which was always too. violent,
-precipitated themfelves into fuch actions, as without
much, injustice, might eafily be conftrued into ogea
rebellion. To all their Prefbyteries were fent let-
ters, advertising the return of Angus, Huntley, and
Errol, and ordering that they fhould W publicly
excommunicated, together with all others who were
iufpe&ed of favoring popery. They exhorted them
to excite the people to defend the proteftant faith,
and their juft rights ; and finally, they chofe one
of the moft eminent clergymen, out of every corner
of the kingdom, in order to Tefide conflantly at
Edinburgh, and to meet every day the minifters of
that city, in an affembly which they called tht
Jlan&ng council of the church.
The intemperate fervor of Black, minifter at S6
Andrew's, exceeded all bounds, In his fermons he
.reviled James, curfed his minifters, affirmed that all
kings were the offspring of the devil, , who now
appeared to rule the court ; and that the queen of
England was an atheift. The king, notwithftand-
ing the natural pliancy of his difpofition, and all
his wifhes to ftand Well with the clergy, could not
brook thefe reiterated infults. He fummoned Black
to appear before his council to anfwer for his auda-
cious fpeeches, and for the feditious doctrine which
he had promulgated ; and commanded the minifters
to retire to their refpeflive churches ; but he was
obeyed in neither : Black, and his brethren decla-
ring, that the king's authority was of lefs weight
than the power and intereft of the church* James*
by this bold reply, kindled into rage; and ob-
ferving that he was little better than a cypher jn
his own kingdom if this were the cafe, he deter-
mined to try the event. The courtiers, who de-
fired nothing better than to fee the king and h*s
clergy
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ago New. History of SCOTLAND.
•clergy at variance, employed not a -few artifices t*
•aggravate the difpute. ; in confequence of which a
.tumult arofe in Edinburgh on the 17th December
.1596, which expofed the kiijg to no little danger.
.For whilft he w&s fitting in the Tolbooth at the
court of feffipn, where he had given an h&ughty
anfwer to a petition which the clergy had very ab-
ruptly prefented ; the rabble without, on the return
of the deputies with his majefty's reply, prefled pro-
mifcuoufly into the room in which he fat, and in-
,fifted that the petition (which principally, infprced
the perpetual barufhment of the popifh lords) fliould
be granted, James, alarmed at their bold intrufion
. and furious manner of falutation, retired in hafte,
.without fpeaking a word, and (hut the gates be-
hind him. On this, all was riot and confufioru
One recited the ftory of the wicked Haman, the
reft made the application, and fallying forth, and
touting, " the. (word of the Lord and of Gideon,"
they called aloud for the king, and fome.of hi*
counfellors by name, that they might be facrificed
to their fury.. But the city magiftrates found mean*
.to quell them, and the rioters difperfed in lefs time
.than they had aflembled. ■;■-■■,
,The king however, next morning .withdrew to
Linlithgow ; happy in having efcaped the rage of
an infurrection, which in, the end was as fatal to
the clergy, as it was favorable to the eftablifhment
of, regal authority. For a convention of the eftates
being called, the barons there aflembled, deemed
the Tate violent tranfa&ions to be high treafon.
, And matters rari fo high againft the citizens of
„Edinburg, who with fuch boifterous imprudence
. had fupported the clergy, that the court party threat-
ned to lay the city in afhes, and to erect a pillar
.where it flood, in token of their guilt, and of the
king's vengeance, But James was mild ; he waved
i^tjie rigor of the law/j and tho' he ftripped the citi-
' " zens
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JAM E S: VJ. i 9f
*ens of many of their moft valuable privileges, he
allowed them by the payment of a confiderable fum
, of money, to purchafe their pardon.
' Mean time the minifters of Edinhurg
iforefeeing no other hope of fafety, had . 1597*
^fled to Newcaftle. James was deter-
<mined to humble them, but finding he could not
accompliih his end by force, he refolved to try
;the effe<9: of flattery and promifes. This refolu-
tion was indeed political, and perhaps the only
one by which he could poffibty have compleated
his purpofe. Men of enlarged ideas maybe foothed
into thofe meafures with which threats and. pu-
nifhment can never excite them to comply ; and
when flattered with the liberty of free-will, they
will part voluntarily with fuch things as othenyife
death itfelf would be unable to exaft. James thero-
fore by proper agents plied his arts fo fuccefsfully,
-that, at two different general aflemblies, a majority
.condemned their own rafhnefc, and that of their
brethren, and declared in favor of thofe meafures
which were moft agreeable to the king. The mi-
nifters returned to their reflective . charges, and
James for the remainder of his reign, found means
to eftablifh almoft an abfolute dominion both over
them and ecclefiaftical affairs in general.
The king having gained this great point, foon
made large ftrides towards the introduction of
epifcopacy. Under pretence of rewarding the
clergy for their late dutiful compliance with his wilj,
he propofed that fuch paftors as he mould appoint,
- might be empowered to fit in parliament as repre-
fentatives for their whole order, with the fame free-
dom and dignity, which abbots and bifhops had*
been allowed formerly. .But fuch was the general
averfion to the leaft idea of prelacy, that eafe, h<j-
. jior, and profit had no charms, and the minifters
; ftrove a& eagerly to:fhun preferment as t{ie fous of
.- • • ' * tke
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X9» New Histohy of SCOTLAND.
the church now-a-days endeavor to embrace it.
Every difcerning man faw through the veil of the
kings pretended generofity, " Glofs over this
fcheme (faid one of the leading clergymen) with
what varnifh you pleafe ; deck the intruder with
the utmoft art ; yet under all the difguife, I fee
the horns of his mitre." Notwithftanding th ; s>
James and his minifters a£ted their parts fo artfully,
that the weakeft of the order, which generally, m
every body of people, form a majority, being gained
over, clerical feats in parliament were at a general
affembly on the 7th of March 1598 Bronounced
both lawful and expedient, and James won ratified
their resolution, by procuring to it the (an&ion
and authority of the fenate of his kingdom*
During the late fquabbles, the ottavians, ha-
ving fell out among themfelves, religned their
places, by which the nation loft the great benefit
of a juft and regular ceconomy. The king there-
fore being again mafter of his own exchequer,
defired Elizabeth, in 1599 to fend him a company
of players,, which (he accordingly complied with s
and Mr. Guthrie is of opinion, tho* without af-
figning any reafon in Arpport of his conjeflure,
that the immortal Shakefpear, was one of the
number. The clergy, as it is reafonableto fuppofe,
from their temper and difpofitton, loudly exclaimed
againft the king for*his condiuft in this refped.
They cenfured even Shakefpear's drama as wicked
and unedifying, and mentioned all players with
the greatdt contempt and deteftation. But as
James thought fif to grant to thofe whom Eli- •
j&abeth had fent him, his royal licence and pro-
tection, the clergy lowered by degrees their
ftrain of inve&ive, and tfce theatre thronged with
fpe&atora.
Scotland now tafted the fweets of domeftic
peace 3 and the king, fenfibk of his own happinefc,
found
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JAMES VL 193
found leifure about this time to write a treatife
on the art of government. It was intitled Bafi-
licon Dorori, and addrefTed to his fon prince
Henry. And notwithftanding it abounds with an
feftentatious {hew of pedantic erudition, fome are
*6P opinion that few better books for juftnejfs of
£ompofition, . and propriety of fentiment, have
been fince publifhed on that fubje&. James .main-
tained an amicable correfpondence with Elizabeths,
and a political but fecret one with her ihiAifter
"Cecil, who, in the courie of letters, took pare tc*
"befpeak the good-will of his future matter/* ; v
-But while James was.induftrioufly diving ihra
the politics of England, and daily expecting,' as
well as preparing, to accede to that throne^ there:
happened this autumn a circumftance, which if
the king himfelf may be believed, had well nigh
blafted his hopes. As he was going out early in
the morning of the 5th of Auguft-from his pa*
lace at Falkland, to take the diverfion of hunt-
ing, he was accofted by Mr. Alexander Ruthven,
brother to the earl of Gowry, to the follow-
ing effect: That the preceding evening he had
feized a man, near his brother's houfe at Perth,
of a very fufpicious afped, who, he found upon
examination, had concealed under his cloak a pot
of money $ that he had confined the man and
fecured the treafure, and as* he did not doubt but
that his majefty- would chufe to take cognizance
of the affair, he urged him, with much t impor-
tunity, to ride over to Perth, for that purpoie,
• immediately. James demanded whether it was
foreign coin, and being anfwered in the affirmative,
he concluded the fellow to be fome trafficking
prieft, who had been charged with this money i'os
the purpofe of exciting fomq frefh rebellion. He
therefore bade Ruthven return to Perth, and de-i
jliver up. the man and his money to the infpe&ion
K . . „ . of
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rg4 New History of SCOTLAND.
of the magrftrates. Ruthvtn objeded to this. He
faid, that as yet his own brother was ignorant of
die adventure, but that if he and the other magi-
ftrates of the place were made acquainted with it,
he feared that the king would get but a poor ac-
count of the treaiure $ adding, that, in that cafe,
he, without doubt, fhould alfo lofe that gratuity,
which, for his honeft conduct, he had promiled
himfelf from his majefty's generofity. He then
again urged the king to fet out with him imme-
diately for Perth. This James refufed ; but he
told him that when the chace was ended he would
difcourfe with him further. Whilit the king was
in the midft of his fport, and the hounds were in
fulLcry, he could not help thinking on Ruthven,
and his ftrange ftory. And tho' he entertained
fome fufpicions to Ruthven's difadvantage, his
curiofity got the better of them, and when the
dogs were at fault, he took occafion to inform
Ruthven, that as foon as the chace was over he
would accompany him*
Accordingly, at the death of the buck, the
king, without waiting for a fre£h horfe, rode off,
beckoning the duke of Lenofc and the earl of
Mrr to follow. Ruthven feemed to be mighti-
ly againft their attendance \ but the king told
him with a fmile, that being but a bad rec-
koner himfelf, it was neceffary that he fhould
have fome affiftance in telling over the money.
Gowry was at dinner when he heard, by a fervant
difpatched on purpofe, of the king's approach;
but collecting about thirty or forty of the citizens,
he came out of the town about a quarter of a mile
to receive his majefty, whofe whole train, it feems,
confifted of hardly a fcore. When the king had
refrefhed himfelf by a repair, and the nobles had
withdrawn into another room in order to partake |
of the like, Ruthven found means to difoiifs hit ,
brother Gowry, and then he whifpered the king, |
that J
Digitized by GoOgle J
/AMES VI. 195
that now was the time to examine the man and in-
(pe& his treafure. James accordingly arofe, and
was conducted up a f bur-cafe, then through feveral
apartments (the doors of which Ruthven locked
always carefully behind him, repeating every time,
*' I warrant I have him fafe") and at laft into a
a ftudy, where, inftead of feeing a man defencelefs
and bound, he beheld one at liberty, and armed
with both a fword and a dagger ; but who it feems
trembled as if he had been really the perfon which
James#had expe&ed. Ruthven immediately feized
the man's dagger, and fwearing that the king muft
die, was about to plunge it in his bofom ; when
lo ! at that critical inftant, he eloquence of
James preferved his life. For expoftulating with
him on the heinoufnefs of the crime, and on the
certain ignominy, inftead of advantage, which muft
accrue to hiin and his whole family, by the perpe^
tration of fuchan execrable deed,Ruthven dropped the
dagger and feemed full of contrition. However,
he told the king, that he mirft be contented to be
his prifoner 'till he had fpoken to his brother ; and
ordering the man, who ftill trembled exceffivelyj
to take care that the king did not efcape, he de-*
parted feemingly with that view. Ruthven fpeedily
returned with a cord, and telling the king there"
was no help for it, " by God he muft die" he at-*
tempted to bind his hands. A violent *ftruggld
on this enfued, during which the man in the clofet
affifted neither. The ftrength of James was of
as much fervice to him now, it feems, as his elo-
quence had been before, for dragging Ruthven to 3
window (which during his abfence he had perfuaded
the man ta open) he called out, " Treafon, help,
Mar, Lenox, I am murdered." The king's voice
was heard, and known, by all his attendants. Len-
ox and Mar, with feveral others, ruflied up the
great ftair-cafe, and finding all the doors fliut
K 2 againft
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196 New Histqry of SCOTLAND.
againft them, they were battering them with great
fury, while fir John Ramfay, fir Thomas Erfkine,
and fir Hugh Herries, with one. Wilfon, a groom,
luckily ran up the bye-paflage which led to the
ftudy. Ramfay firft entered the ftudy, at fight of
whom, the king almoft fpent in the itruggle with
Ruthven, cried out, ct Strike him low, man, ftrike
the villain low" and Ramfay accordingly having
given him three or four ltrokes with his dagger,
tumbled him over the banifters, and Erfkine, who
was at the bottom of the flairs, difpatched him
with his fword.
Mean time the man in the ftudy had fome-
how unaccountably difappeared ; and the earl of
Gowry had entered by a private way into the
adjoining chamber, armed with a fword in each
hand, and backed by fix or feven of his fer-
vants. They were fiercely attacked by the king's
party, though but four in number ; one of which
crying out, " You have killed the king our
mailer and will you alfo murder us," — Gowry
dropped the points of both his fwords, and was
at that inftant run through the heart by Ramfay,
exclaiming as he fell, " Alas ! I am not to blame
for this aftion." The earl's fervants fled on the
death of their mailer, and Mar and Lenox, with
the reft of the king's attendants, being let into the
room, James fell on his knees, with thofe around
him, and returned thanks to God for his won-
derful deliverance. But the king had fcarcely
finifhed his prayer, before the town fmen of Perth
aiFemblcd around the houfe of Gowry who was their
provoft, and calling with affectionate vehemence
for the earl and his brother, they no fooner learned
their fate, than in a tranfport of fury, they de-
nounced inftant vengeance even againft the king
and his attendants. But J*mes by (peaking to
them mildly, admitting the magiftrates into the
houfe, and informing, them circumftantially of
4 the
Digitized by GoOgle
JAMES VI. i 97 {
the affair, quelled the tumult of the populace,
before they had proceeded to aiiy a£t of def-
peration ; and James having efcaped through all
thefe perilous adventures, returned the faine night
in fafety to Falkland.
This is the fubftance of the account which was
pubiiftied foon after by the king himfelf. But the
reader will eafily perceive that it abounds with
many abfurdities, and that, in a variety of inftances,
too obvious to mention, it is hardly reconcileable
to common (cn(c. His clergy were unanimous in
diibelieving it; for, notwithftanding his exprefs
order, they refufed to thank God for his deliverance
in their churches.
- Though there is no color of reafon to ima-
gine that James fhould make ufe of fuch an ar-
tifice to wreak his vengeance on Gowry and his
brother, both of whom, during his whole reign,
he had loaded with favors ; yet there is alfo no
fufficient proof that the former, who was more
religious and more learned than the generality
of noblemen, intended the leaft harm to his fo-
v^reign. And as Henderfon, the earl's fervant,
who, on promife of pardon, confeffed himfelf to
have been the perfon concealed in the clofet, men-
tioned in his depofition, that he had been planted
there by Ruthven, and without knowing on what
account ; the moft eafy and natural conftruftion
of the whole affair, if credited as a confpiracy
againft the king's life, is, that it centered wholly
ki Ruthven, and was the immediate offspring of
a fudden phrenfy. The whole affair, notwith-
ftanding feveral pretended difcoveries a few years
after, feems to be, otherwife, entirely inexplicable;
and muft be left, amidft its impenetrable darknefs,
as a fubject of difquifitibn to fome trifling anti-
quary.
, But if the clergy fufpe&ed the king's veracity,
thefe of the laity who believed the king's pamphlet
K 3 to
Digitized by GoOgle
198 New History of SCOTLAND.
to be true, fufpe&ed his courage. They thus reason-
ed ; why did not James make ufe of the dagger which
Ruthven, when he went to fpeak with his brother,
hdd left behind him ? or why not try his eloquence
or ftrength with Henderfon (who feemed in the
account, by his trembling and neutrality, to have
been in a difpofition and capacity to deny nothing)
in order to procure his fword ? James heard thefe
things whifpered about, and as fome Jefuits after-
wards excited many of the highlanders to acts of
rebellion, he feized the opportunity of evincing
-his courage, by marching againft them in perfon.
* But his expedition, though ialutary and effective,
was bloodlefs.
James was now at the vertex of glory in Scot-
land j and if the acquifitions of new dignity,
honor, and importance, were able to give fatis-
faclion in proportion to their greatnefs, James
was near the fummit of happineis, for in March
1603, tidings were brought him that Elizabeth,
the great, the deferving queen of a loyal, becaufe
a loving, and of a powerful, becaufe a free people,
was in all human probability on the bed of death*
Nor were their prefages groundlefs, for {he expired
on the 24th of March 160?, and James the 6th
of Scotland by the name and title of James the ift
of England was inftantly declared her fucceflbr.
James was foeedily informed of the joyful news,
with this pleafing additional circumftance, that the
Englifli were, to a man, impatient to hail him as
their lawful fovereign* The king received this intel*
ligence with decency and with moderation, and began
tp make preparations for his departure. He com-
mitted his children to the care of feveral noble-
men and directed his queen to follow him in about
twenty days. On the Sunday before his departure,
he made a long harangue to his people in the high
church of St. Giles at Edinburg ; and the people,
loth to loft their king who had lately grown very
popular,
Digitized by GoOgle ' '
J A M E 5 VU , 199
popular, anfwered his affectionate fpecch by tear*
and lamentations. James, having promifed to viftf
them frequently, left Scotland on the cth of April,
The eagernefs with which the Engfifh ftrove to
entertain him during his journey to their kingdom,,
together with the vile adulation of the courtiers
and bifliops, occafioned an honeft plain Scotchman
very juftly to obferve that, " they would fpoil
a good king." He tarried four, days at Cecil'*
ieat at Theobald's in Hertibrdfhire, and on the
fifth, which was the 7th of May, he arrived w
London.
At this period, the church-hiftory
naturally occurs ; but ecclefia^ical CHURCtl*
and civil- affairs have rieceflarily
been fo blended, during this and the preceding
reign, that very little of the former remains un-
noticed. Here, however, it may not be improper
to give fome account of the Culdees, who, indeed,
according to the ftriS rules of compofition, ought
to have been mentioned much earlier. The Cul*
'dees took their name from two Celtic words which
iignify a Blackhoody and are fuppofed by many
to have been the firft regular chriftian clergy in
Scotland 5 but whether Regulus, their chief, was
an abbot or a bifhop, though it has been the oc-
cafion of fome controversy, is as uncertain as, it is
at prefent, unimportant. However, their great oveafv
ieers latterly had the title of epifcopi or biftiops,
who only performed the public fervice, while
the inferior fort vifited the iick and relieved th£
needy. Hungus king of the Picts, under whofe,
reign they are mentioned by Sibbald and Bucha-
nan, was their great patron; Bhidus, the lait
king of that people, gave them the ule of £och- k
leven; and the town of Balchriftic was prefented
to them by Malcolm Canmore. They were pftm~
dered, and otherwife ill-treated during the follow-
K4 frig
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200 New History of SCOTLAND.
ing reigns, 'till Alexander the ift reftored them to
their eitates and dignity.
The Scotch antiquaries and hiftorians are agreed,
that they were an order who differed, in many
refpe£h?, from the church of Rome. They were
prefbyters, and neither practiced auricular con-
feflion nor divers other ridiculous ceremonies which
popery afterwards introduced, though they kept
Eaifter according to the Romans, together with
Chrifom and Tonfure ; but when the Romifli per-
luafion made head in Scotland, many conformed
to all its abfurdities.
Till this time they were in great reputation for
learning and piety. It feems by their law, that a
married man might become a C'uldee, but that on
profefling himfelf fuch, he muft repudiate his wife,
or any other woman with whom he might cohabit.
The Culdees, even when popery was the eftablifhed
religion in Scotland, had a right to vote for a bifhop
of St. Andrews ; but their chief bifliop, Robert,
dying in 1159, ^^ David and his fuccefibrs Reg-
led ing them, their order dwindled by degrees, and
towards the cfofe of the following century became
intirely extincl:.
The reader has before remarked the rife and
progrefs of the proteftant faith. The firft general
aflembly of the reformed Scotch church was held
at Edinburg on the 20th of December 1560, and
the fecond on the 26th of May following. At
thefe meetings a committee was appointed to fettle
ecclefiaftical dicipline and policy; the members
were John Douglafs, re&or of St. Andrews, John
Winrame, fub-prio*, John Spotfwood, John Rowe,
and John Knox ; but Knox led every debate, and
was not to be controuled. At thefe meetings, and
in a book afterwards publifhed, they declared,
•" That ordinary vocation to the miniftry con-
frfteth in ele&ion, examination, and admiffion ; —
other
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JAMES TL 2Qi
other ceremonies, than the public approbation of
the people, and declaration of the mi miter, that the
perfon there prefented is appointed* to ferve the
church, we cannot approve ;. for albeit the apoftles
ufed impofition of hands, yet, feeing the miracle
of extraordinary gifts attending it is ceafed, the
ufing of the ceremony we judge not necefl'ary."
So.that^mpofition of hands was excluded, as was
fqpn afterwards, reading and finging at funerals,
left that practice, they faid, fliould encourage fu-
perftition. Knox, as it has already been hinted
in the hiftory, had fuggefted a project for the com-
fortable maintenance of himfelf, his brethren, and
their pofterity, by fecuring the whole of the po-
pifh ecclefiaftical revenues to them and their heirs,
and diftributing the fame by annual deacons. He
.propofed likewife to found fchools from tythes
on corn, hay, hemp, lint, fifh, fiefh, wool, butter,
cheefe, &c. Knox greatly urged his fcheme, and
difplayed the importance of deacons and elders.
" if this order, fays he, be perfectly kept, cor-
ruption cannot fuddenly enter. For the free and
yearly election of deacons and elders fhall fuffer
none to ufurp a perpetual domination over the
kirk ; the knowledge of th« rental will fuffer them,
to receive no more than whereof they {hall be bound
to make account ; and the deliverance of the
rnoney to the new officers, will not fuffer men
to ufe in their private bufinefs that which ap-
pertaineth to the public affairs of the kirk." But
the nobility and men in power, who, during
the rage of reformation had enriched themfelves
■with the fpoils of ruined monasteries, abbeys, and
priories, were loth to refund \ fo that,' notwitb*
itanding the zeal which they pr.ofefled for the pro-
tectant faith, ajid for the abolition of papacy, the
loye pf money prevailed i oyer, every ''other confi-
d^ration^ Kiiox'sifcheuis fell, to .the ground; .and
■* : . * K s they
Digitized by GoOgle
202 New History of SCOTLAND.
they ran the riflfc of nipping the proteftant faith
in the bud, by their illiberality to its publick
profeifors,
, But it is now time to view James on the
1 3' throne of England His manners 4a widely
differing from thofe of Elizabeth, to whofe court
the Engltfh had been fo long accuftomed, made on
that people no very favorable impre&oiw. Eli-
zabeth knew how to be familiar with dignity, and
to recover her princely deportment with a good
grace. But if the familiarity of James to his
courtiers were ridiculous, the ftate which he af-
fected was difguftful, and his tranfitions to each
mode of this unbecoming behavior were fudden,
frequent, and ungraceful. Befides, the views of
James, and the Englifli, were, from the firft of
hisacceificn, fundamentally different : — James was
fixed on ftretching the royal prerogative, which
had been ftrcngly bounded in Scotland $ and the
Englifli intent on contra&ing it :— James, from that
particular fondnefs which every one has for his
native land, was defirous to introduce Scottifli laws
and cuftoms; the Englifh, from fome fimilar mo-
tive, determined to keep them out : * finally, the
former was ftrongly bent on procuring an union
of both nations $ the latter on oppofing it ; nor was
it defirable by the Scotch themfelves.
James, to deftroy every idle pique of fuperiority
between the two nations, and thereby to pave the
way for the union, which he had fo much at heart,
iffued a proclamation before the meeting of a par-
liament, by virtue therefore of his prerogative, in
which he^ ordered hhnfelf every where to be ftiled
king of G're at-Br.it ain. This done, he opened
his firft parliament with a long and an elaborate
fpeech, in which, after difclofing the depth of his
wifdom and learning, he inconfiftently paid the
Englifli fome compliments on their wife and hearty
choice
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/ a m e s yr. . tpf
choice of him for their king, at the fame time that
he declared the crown which he then wore, was*
his birthright. He further faid, ** That as in his-
perfon the houfes of York and Lancafter werer
united, the flames of civil war could never re-^
kindle." He then hoafted of the peace,, which he
had fo long maintained with his neighbours, of
the tranquility which had fubfifted between him*
and his Scotch fubjecte ; and particularly, of late
years with his clergy. In regard to religion he
exprefled himfelf in very general and indefinite
terms, and upon the whole his fpeech was but:
coldly received $ fo that he was greatly baulked iiv
his expectation of applaufe. However he dif-
fembled his mortification, and very prudently con-
ferred honors on feveral of his new fubje&s, par-
ticularly on the Howard family who had been con*-
fiderabk fiifferers on account of his mother^
The following year, James founded
his parliament on the fubje& of an 1604*
union, which he was eager to accom-
plish. He found the Englifh in general: exceed-
ingly averfe; and though the propofai fouiid a.
powerful advocate in the famous fir Francis Bacon,.
afterwards the venal lord Verulam^who exerted all hi*
vaft learning and eloquence on the occafion, it was
found in vain to urge it. It was unanimously
agreed, however, when it was again brought upom
the carpet three years after, to deftroy all hoftile
diftin<3:ions between the two kingdoms ; and as*
this was a kind of federal union, all thoughts of a*
clofer connexion were at that time abandoned.
Mean while James loaded his Scotch favorite*
with fuch profuiion of bounty* as tended to the de-
ft rudi on of their negle&ed country. They grew
wanton, pliable, and luxurious. Their friends*
and countrymen flocked to London, in hopes of
fevor and preferment, A proper fpirit for trada
aad
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a<H Njew History of SCOTLAND.
and commerce at home, was thus deftroyed ; and
to impoverifh their country ftill more, the nobility
prefled grievouflv their tenants, in order to encreafe
thofe rents which they conftantly lavifhed away
in England. James, though he law the evil ten-
dency of thefe proceedings, was perhaps both un-
able and unwilling to reftrain them, for as the
barons paid their court to him by the moft fawn-
ing fubmiffion, he winked at their condu<3 to-
wards their unhappy dependants. But he dif-
patched into Scotland a very affe&ionate letter ;
and appointing the earl of Dunbar to the prin-
cipal management of affairs there, he urged his
iubje&s in general, to cultivate by all means corn-
jnerce and unanimity.
As James now confidered himfelf to be
. 1605. firmly eftablifhed on the throne, he en-
couraged a fevere profecution of popifh
priefts. This in all likelihood gave rife to the
Gun-powder-plot^ which was difcovered this year,
and which was fruftrated on the memorable 5th of
.November, the day before its intended execution.
As the heads of this horrid plot are well known,
and the particulars are in the province of Englifh
hiftory, it can only be neceflary to obferve, that
the king claimed the merit of the difcovery, boafted
much of his own great fagacity on the occafion,
and tranfmitted a full account of it into Scot-
land. But while he bleffed God who had given
him the forefight to avoid this blow, he was him-
felf levelling a fevere ftroke againft the Scott;fh
clergy, by infifting, in his letter to the parliament,
that the temporalities of bifhops fhould in Scot-
land, as they were in England, be annexed to
their fees. The clergy in general violently op-
pofed this meafure, as wholly repugnant to the
rules and orders of the eftablifhed church. Six
prelbyterian minifters rather than comply with the
king's letter had chofen a priibn ; and fome others
who
Digitized by GoOgle
JAMES VI. 205
Who had been ordered up to London by James,
to attend him and his prelates, defended their an-
cient liberties with the utmoft intrepidity Andrew
Melvil and his nephew James greatly dHtinguiftied
themfelves on this occasion. The latter, a man of
modefty, learning, piety, and moderation, when
he was examined touching his behaviour, nobly
declared, " I am a free fubjecl: of the kingdom of
Scotland, which hath laws and privileges of her
own as free as any kingdom in the wond, and to
•Which I will ftand." He neverthelefs preferved v
the greateft decoium, which, from a natural im-
patience of temper, was wanting in his uncle,
•who ridiculed the church of England in a very in-
decent epigram. Upon his examination, he was
.guilty of perfonal abufe ; and being placed near
proud Bancroft, archbifiiop of Canterbury, he
fhook his lawn fleeves, and called them Romijh
rags. For this behaviour he was fent to the Tower,
and kept there three years ; but his nephew and the
were permitted to return home.
James, neverthelefs, laid afide his project till to-
wards the latter end of his reign, when he found
means, by degrees, pretty nearly to effect his-pur-
pofe. Mean time the fix imprifoned minifters were
banifiied into feveral parts of the kingdom; but
Andrew Melvil, through the interceiUon of the
duke of Bouillon, obtained his free difcharge, and
he died foon afterwards of the gout at Sedan.
Ten years now elapfed without any very re-
markable occurrence. The earl of Dunbar died
1 6 10, and James elevated to the important office
of treafurer, which that deferving nobleman had
enjoyed, one Carr, who had been formerly his
page. James regarded this young man with un-
common affection. He took tiie pains himfelf
to teach hjm Latin, created him in a very fbort
fpace of time vifcount Rochefterandeasl.of Somer-
. . -&*>
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Sto6 New History of SCOTLAND.
fet, and, together with the duke of York, inftalled
him a knight of the garter. But this minion, who
was infolent, artful, wicked, and ungrateful, foon
became in both kingdoms, as obnoxious as favourites
who acquire unmerited power, and exercife it with-
out moderation, commonly are and always fhould
be. In 1 56 1, he was undermined by Villiers, a
new favourite, and his fall was as fudden as his
rife. On this occafion, the poft of treafurer was
conferred on the earl of Mar ; and James, having
received a large fum of money from the Dutch
for delivering up their cautionary towns, determined
to vifit his native country.
Previous to his journey, he tranfmitted a letter,
-informing his Scotch iubje&s, that his inten-
tion of vifiting them proceeded from a " Salmon-
like inftin£t," and not from any defire to make the
leaft alteration in the civil or ecclefiaftical polity
of their kingdom. But the truth of this declaration
was owing perhaps to his fubje&s, who, during his
ftay amongft them, took care that no material in-
novation lhould be made. For James decorated
liis own chapel with an organ and a choir of
mufic, together with all the pomp of church cere-
monies $ and would have ere&ed the ftatues of the
apoftles if he had not met with too warm an oppo-
fition from thofe of the clergy, who had been the
rooft fubmiifive : even the archbifhop of St. An-
drews told him, that after fixing fuch images, there
could be nothing wanting to feftore popery but
the mafs. And indeed by the tenor of J ames's be-
haviour, during the whole time in which he refided
in Scotland, it lhould feem as if he wiihed to in-
troduce it. He feized every occafion to mortify
the preibyterians ; and by the publication of his
book of fports, by enforcing the obfervation of what
are called Holy-days, and by many other unpopular
meafures, lie not only manifcfted his utter averfion
to the ancient kirk, but his attachment to prelacy
and
Digitized by GoOgle
J A M E S VI. 207
and the church of England, of which, by the ec-
clefiaftical constitution of England, he was the
head and lord. In (hort, James left Scotland in
1617 with impreffions which were much to his dif-
advantage, having* by his example, greatly en-»
couraged popery, and by his inconfiftent condud,
Widened every difference, whether amongft the
clergy or the laity.
Two years after his return to England, James
loft his queen, whofe character was that of a wck
man, artful, intriguing and unprincipled. From
this time he fell into great contempt, and was
wholly governed by Villiers, whom he had created
duke of Buckingham, and by Gondemar the Spanifh
ambaflador. Mean while the French prefled the
renewal of the ancient league with Scotland. The
Scotch privileges were accordingly in 1623 efta-
blifhed throughout France ; and in Paris the Scotch
fuard was revived, under the command of the
uke of Lenox, and lord Gordon was appointed
his lieutenant. About this time James inftituted
the order of Knights Baronets of Nova Scotia, an
hereditary honour, firft conferred on thofe who ad-
ventured to fettle in that part of North America,
from whence the order was denominated-. Sir Wil-
liam Alexander of Menftrie devifed the fcheme y
and undertook that it mould be made a colony,
provided, that, on payment of a certain fum of
money to the king, thirty of his countrymen might
be intitled to a portion of land there, and the rank
of baronets in England. To this James fpeedily
agreed, and it is among the laft memorable actions
of his life. For having;, in 1624, concluded a
treaty of marriage between his fon Charles the
prince of Wales and Henrietta Maria, daughter to
Henry the 4th of France and Mary of Medicis; he
was, in March the following year, attacked by a
difeafe, which fomeof his phyficians deemed to be
a te*-
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208 New History of SCOTLAND.
« tertian ague, and others the gout ; and he died
on the 27th of that month, in the 59th year of his
age. Some are of opinion, that he received foul
play from Buckingham, who in the ab fence of the
phyficians adminiftered to him poflets, and applied
plaifters with his own hand.
A cloud of prejudice from the different parties
adopted by Englilh hiftorians, have almoft totally
obfcured the character of this monarch. There is
obferved no medium : whilft one party call him the
Solomon of the age, the other will not allow him a
grain of fenfe 5 and whilft that extols him for his.
excellent management in preferving peace with all
his neighbours for fuch a feries of years, this attri-
butes the blefling to pufillanimity and to cowardice.
As king of Scotland, in which light he is here to be
confidered, his behaviour, in many refpe&s, mani-
fefted that he was neither a fool nor a perfonal
coward j though he might be a political one. His
conduct in civil affairs was generally uniform and
confiftent 5 but in matters refpec"ting religion, al-
ways the contrary y which renders the reality of his
own faith extremely dubious. As to his perfonal
and domeftic chara&er, his appearance was very
mean, and it was rendered more fo by the coarfe-
nefs and vulgarity of his general converfation,
which he conltantly interlarded with that foolifh,
unmanly and impious habit, fwearing, and which,
when agitated by paflion, hurried him too fre-
quently into the moft fliocking blafphemy. Not-
withftanding the vaft fums which he lavifhed on his
favourites $ notwithstanding his exceflive fondnefs
for eafe and pleafure, to which he would facrifice
the moft urgent bufinefs, he feems to have been
by nature covetous j for it is faid, that he would
fooner part with an hundred pounds which were
not in his own pofTeflion, than with twenty fliil-
l'mgs which he had in his pocket. This temper
often
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CHARLES I. 209
•ftenled him to cheat himfelf, by accepting two or
three thoufand pounds for his privy purfe, when
the parties, with whom he agreed, by bargaining
in their turn with his financers, prevented ten times
that fum from being paid into his treafury. But
now and then, it is faid, when he found himfelf
monftroufly duped, he would fly from his bargain.
It was on this account that one of his courtiers
called him " Thewifeft fool in Christendom." He
was (o regular in every refpect, that another u fed to
fay " Were he afleep feven years, and then awakened,
he would tell where the king had been every day,
and what dimes had heen ferved on his table.'.'
James died at Theobalds, in the houfe which he
had bought of Cecil ; his body from thence was
brought to Weftminfter, and expofed in ftate at
Denmarfc-houfe, till its interment in Weftminfter
Abbey.
CHARLES I.
A feries of years, in the bufy reign
of this unhappy prince, elapfed with- 1 625.
out any incidents which feparately,
and materially affected Scotland. Charles had not
one fpark of that partiality for his native coun-
try, which fired his father James 5 but he flamed
with all his ideas of prerogative and of an hierarchy,
iubjeft to his own domination. Thefe things
were not unobferved by the Scots; and being but
little inclined to love a monarch who feemed fo re-
gardlefs of procuring their affection ; and having
acquired fome juft notions of liberty, they had a
long time, out of fear of his committing arbitrary
actions when personally prefent, put off, on various
pre-
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210 New History or SCOTLAND.
pretences, the ceremony of his coronation. The per-
formance of it was, however, at length fixed for the
fummer of 1633, when the ceremony was according-
ly performed with fuch unufual pomp, that many
urangers, inticed by report of the vaft and expen-
sive preparations, came over from the continent
merely to behold its magnificence. But whatever
fums were difburfed on this occalion, Charles de-
termined they fbould be made up, in and from Scot-
land. For the formality of the coronation fet afide,
the king's principal views in vifiting his Scotch
fubje&s were to fleece them of money, and through
the ailiftance of bifhop Laud, to eftablifh . every
item, which his father had not, of his beloved
epifcopacy.
For this latter purpofe, Laud had compiled a book
of common prayer to be ufed in Scotland, which
was in many refpe&s more exceptionable to the pref-
byterians, than even that which was made ufe of in
England. Charles difplayed his arbitrary difpolition
in parliament, as well as in the churph. To in-
timidate the members, and carry every point which
he intended, he pulled a lift out of his pocket, and
faid, " I have all your names here, and will know
who will do me fervice, and who will not." Three
bills were then brought in by the lords of articles ;
one to confirm the royal prerogative, another to
regulate the habits of clergymen according to the
king's pleafure, and a third was the refumption of
church-lands and tythes. The firft two were
tacked together; but when the earl of Rothes pro-
pofed that they fhould be divided, and the mem-
bers in general were proceeding to a debate, they
were told by the king, that to vote was their bufi-
nefs, not to argue. They voted ; but though the
queftion was actually carried in the negative, Hay,
the clerk-regifter, an infamous tool of arbitrary
power, declared it to be in the affirmative : and as
it
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V
Digitized by GoOgle
SF$t*je 2" -
<Am£ ££n
Digitized by G00gle
C H A R L E S I. an
it-was death for. any perfon to challenge the award,
if it were found juft, none chofe to run that rifk,
and fo the bill pafled. Having thus proftituted the
facred name of parliament, Charles conducted all
his meafures by fimilar practices -> he made Edin-
burg a bifhopric, and placed therein one Forbes,
who was ftrongly fufpe&ed of popery, and then
returned precipitately to London, in order to ad-
vance his favourite Laud to the fee of Canterbury,
which was vacated by the death of its former -more
worthy poffeffor, Abbot.
The people of Scotland, wljo had with difficulty:,
whilft Charles was amongft them, contained their
refentment of his unconstitutional proceedings,
manifefted, foon after his departure, the moft fet-
tled and univerfal difcontent. Spotfwood, arcb-
bjfliop of St. Andrews, had been made chancellor
of the kingdom, and Maxwell, bifhop of Ro&,
treafurer ; and as churchmen were thus preferred to
the moft important civil offices, by the appointment
of fuch an infamous minister as Laud, the Scots faw
plainly, that without one great effort they muft bear
the yoke of church-tyranny, and be plunged cif
courfe into the moft abject flavery. They were ia
this frame of mind, when, on the 23d of July
1637, Hanna Dean of Edinburgh prepared pub-
licity to read the liturgy, drawn up by Laud. Scarce*.
\y had he uttered a fentence, ere the lower clafs of
people, interrupted the fervice by execrations, out-
cries, and the moft violent expreffions of abhorrence,
Hanna, afraid to proceed, ftuit the book and re-
tired from the defk ; Forbes himfelf then ftepped
into it, and confiding in the power and importance
of his epifcopal office, began to harangue. The pre-
ftnce of a man, whom they hated, and on fuch an
occafion, put them paft all bounds. The prelate
was faluted by the women with their joint-ftools,
bibles,. and every thing on which they could lav
bands, to th^pw at him \ the church was filled with
the
Digitized by GoOgle
312 New History of SCOTLAND.
the general clamour of " a pope! a pope! anti-
chrij} ! Jione him! Jlone him!' 9 and it was with
much difficulty that the bifhop efcaped with his
life from thefe enthufiafts, whofe mouth, it was
wittily faid, in allufion to Balaam's afs, the Lord
had opened. As the tumults in other churches
were nearly the fame, a petition by fome of the
clergy was then drav/n up, to pray his majefty
not to inforce this difagreeable liturgy, which
petition, it is but common jufHce to fay, was firft
figned by Spotfwood and Maxwell \ and then
by the other chief officers of ftate. Befides this
general petition, there were no lefs than fixty-eight
private ones to the fame effect, and the earl of Tra-
quaire went to London to acquaint the king with
particulars.
- Charles returned fuch a petulant and fuch an un-
determinate anfwer into Scotland, that the oppofi-
tion to the liturgy, which at firft arofe only among
the lower clafs of people, was now universally* fup-
jjorted. A national covenant was therefore formed,
of the fame nature with that which James had
drawn k up in behalf of Elizabeth on the Spanifh
invafion, and it was fworn to, with the utmoft
alacrity; all ranks, ages, and fexes, flocking to
fubfcribe their renunciation of popery, their resolu-
tion to maintain, at all hazards, the true religion
of the Scotch church, and their firm attachment to
the king's perfon and government j— but this laft
was conditional.
Charles now began to confider his people's pe-
titions, and the confequences, and therefore dif-
patched the marquis of Hamilton to propofe in his
name, that if the covenant were diflblved, the li-
turgy fhould be fufpended, till the Scots in a legal
way, could receive it. It is probable, that Charles
thought this a great conceffion, but Hamilton was
told by thefe noble aiferters of their country's free-
dom, that before they would break up their cove-
nant,
Digitized by GoOgle
CHARLES L 213
nant (which fome inftead of ink had actually
figned with their blood) they would renounce their
baptifm. The king no fboner heard of their de-
termined refolution, and their great ftrength,
(for they had met Hamilton to the number of
60,000) than he then offered to abolifh intirely the
difagreeable liturgy, and alfo the high commiilion
which he had ereited, together with every a£t that,
upon fair debate, could be proved oppreffive and
unconftitutional. Thefe conceffions it has been,
faid fhould have fatisfied the Scots ; but they juftly
thought, that they had been only forced from the*
king by the fpirit of the times, and would be re-
voked again the firft opportunity, when a divided
people muft fink under the encroachments of ar-
bitrary power. United, they were in a condition
to make a noble ftand, and they therefore declared,
that nothing but the total abolition of efpifcopacy,
and the restoration of their ancient religion as fet-
tled by Knox, could drown their jealoufy and ftifle,
their refentment, (
Thus ftood affairs in 1639, when Charles,
piqued to the quick at their obftinacy, urged on
by Laud, and fupported by every papift in Eng-
land, determined to fubdue thsir obftinacy by force
of arms. The Scots apprifed of his intentions,
and being fpirited up, and furnifhed with money
by Richlieu, the intriguing minifter of Lewis the
14th, whom Charjes had difgufted, took # the ne-
ceflary meafures for their own defence. Having in-,
forced the figning of the covenant, under pain of
excommunication ; having driven all the bifhops
out of the kingdom, and in fact having utterly
abolifhed epifcopacy themfelves, they chofe for their
general, Alexander Lefley, an experienced officer,
who had ferved in Sweden with great reputation.^
Before the king proceeded to hoftilities, he, to per-'
plex the Scots, by feeming proofs of his fincerity,
revived"
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214. New History o* SCOTLAND.
revived the old covenant, which had been drawn
up by his father, and figning it himfelf, his agents
quickly difperfed it through Scotland. Some thou-
fands, by this artifice, renounced the new cove-
nant, and came over to his intereft ; and Old and
New Covenant then became the diftin&ions of each
party.
And now the king, and the principal of his Scots
fubjecb were at avowed defiance. He had if-
fued a proclamation, commanding his loyal fub-
jefts to meet him in arms at York, and the mar-
quis of Hamilton was ordered to prepare a fleet.
The covenanters, apprifed of thefe proceedings ;
planted garrifons in the moft important towns, and
Eroceeded to fortify Leith, the fea-port of Edrn-
urg, with fuch unanimous refolution, that not
only the nobles and gentry, but even women of
every rank, employed their hands and fhoulders in-
difcriminately with common labourers, till the for-
tifications were compleated.
The king on the 2d of June appeared at Ber-
wick, at the head of a confiderable army, while
Hamilton and his fleet were hovering in Leith road
in a very fhattered condition. The main forces of*
the covenanters were then encamped near Duns.
Charles advanced, and a few immaterial fkirmifhes
enfued, in which the Englifli afted againft the
Scots with vrfible backwardnefs, and furniflied
them, as it has been reported, with intelligence of
every individual proceeding in the royal camp.
At length the covenanters advanced with the whole
body of their troops : but before they proceeded to
unfheath the fword, and iffue out all the horrors of
a civil war, it was agreed to difpatch the earl of
Dumfcrling to his majefty with the following
petition :
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C H A R L E S I. 2is
To the king's moft excellent majefty,
" THE humble petition of his majefty's fub-
jecb of Scotland, humbly fheweth, That whereas
former means ufed by us, hath not been effe&uai
for recovering your majefty's favour, and the peace
of this your majefty's kingdom, we fall down again
at your majefty's feet, moft humbly fupplicating
that your majefty would be gracioufly pleafed to ap-
point fome few of your majefty's many worthy men
of your majefty's kingdom of England, who are
well affected to the true religion, and common
peace, to hear, by fome of us of the fame 'affec-
tion, of our humble defires ; and to make known
to us your majefty's gracious pleafure, that as by
the providence of God we are here joined in one
ifland, and one king, fo by your majefty's great
wifdom and tender care, all miftaking may be
fjpeedily removed % and the two kingdoms may be
kept in peace and happinefs under your majefty's
long and profperous reign, for the which we fliall
never ceafe, as becomes your majefty's faithful
fubje&s, daily to pray for your majefty's long and
happy reign over us."
This dutiful petition was fo well received, and
fo favourably commented on by moft of the leading
men in the royal army, that Charles found himfelf
under a neceffity to appoint proper commiffioners^
to treat on the propofed pacification. Thefe were
the earls of Arundel, Efiex, Holland, Salj/bury,
Berkshire, and the fecretary Cook. And thofe de-
puted by the covenanters, were the earls of Rothes
and Dumferling, lord Loudon, fir William Dou-
glafs, Mr. Alexander Henderfon, moderator of a
general affembly, which the covenanters had efta-
bllfhed at Glafgow, and Mr. Archibald Johnftone,
its clerk. The teat of the earl of Arundel > ge-
neral
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ai6 New History or SCOTLAND.
neral of the king's troops, was the place of affig-
nation. Hither the Scotch commilfioners repaired
with a fafe-condu£t under the king's own hand.
Whilft Arundel was opening the conference in a
fet fpeech, he was (truck dumb, and the whole
committee put into the utmoft consternation, by
the abrupt entrance of the king himfelf, faying,
as he approached, that underftanding the Scots
gave out they could not be heard, he had come to
hear them in perfon. Notwithstanding this un-
manly intrufion, which the aflembly in general
rightly fuppofed, was on purpofe to over-awe their
debates, lord Loudon, a young nobleman full of zeaJ,
and warm from the univerfity, began a fpeech j but
he was inftantly interrupted by the king, with
" Sir, I will not admit of any of your excufes for
your paft actions ; but if you come to fue for grace,
let down your defires particularly in writing, and
you mail receive your anfwer." This, though
thus arbitrarily impofed, was complied with, and the
covenanters, amongft many other propofals, told
his majefty, that on condition they might enjoy
their religion and their laws, they would, if he
thought proper, at their own expence, tranfport
the majority of their forces, to affift in the reco-
very of the Palatinate. At laft, a treaty of paci-
fication was concluded on, to the following effect ;
That the king withdraw his fleet and army ;
that the Scots difmifs their forces ; that the king's
forts be given up to him ; no meetings allowed, un-
warranted by parliament, and that fuch an aflem-
bly mould be immediately called to fettle all ' dis-
putes.
A pacification thus patched up, and in fuch
general terms, was agreeable only to the commif-
fioners who had made it. Neither the -exprefs _abo-
lition of epifcopacy, nor one fyllable concerning
the Glafgow aflembly, had ever been dire&ly men-
tioned,
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CHARLES, I. 217
tioned, and therefore the people eafily faw, that the
king would in parliament, with his authority over
the Scots, refume his former carriage towards them,
and find means to interpret the vague terms con-
trary to their intention, and highly to their dif-
advantage. Their fufpicions, fn the fequel of the
king's conduit, proved but too juft. It was foon
difcovered that he had made ufe of mental reserva-
tion ; and previous to the Meeting of parliament, on
the 20th of Auguft, he employed every fpecies of the
meaneft duplicity. Pretending that he had ' com-
mitted a manifeft folecifm in politics, by treating
with his own fubje&s, he ptorogued the parliament ;
and leaving matters in the moft anxious uncertainty
He returned to London, appointing the earl of Tra-
quaire his high commiffioher, a poll which the
marquis of Hamilton had refuted.
Though the Scots, fince the pacifica-
tion, had diflblved the form of an army, 1640. •
they difbanded the foldiery with fo
much precaution, that, ftill keeping the officers in
pay, they could be collected into a body on the
fliorteft notice. Obferving the king's difpofition
and defigns, and having intelligence of what was
going forward at the Englifh court, they affembled
themfelves in parliament on the nth of June,
and there difcovered that order, judgment, and
moderation, and difplayed fuch talents, in fettling
their civil and religious liberties, which proved them
to be glorious promoters of the caufe of freedom, and
muft reflect for ever the moft brilliant luftre on every
individual then prefent. They aboliflied the lords
of articles^ nd the power of churchmen as legiflators ;
confirmed the former determination againft epifco- .
pacy; and deviled many o€her acts highly, worthy
of a people, who were determined not to be fright-
ened .out of their liberties, by menaces, * or the
loud founds of epifcopal authority, and regal pre-
> L rogative.
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2ii New History of SCOTLAND.
rogative. Thefe patriotic a£te were fent up to
London, under the care of the earls of Dumferling
and Loudon, to be prefented to the king for his
royal affent, which ailbnt, under pretence that they
came unauthenticated by his commiifioner Tra-
quaire, was refufed. /
A letter which had been written to the king of
France, and figned before the pacification, by the
principal Scotch npbility, but never fent, added to
thefe fpirited ads, now furnilhed Charles with a
faint pretext, but full refolution to invade Scotland
once more, and to liften to no propofals of peace
with them, unlefs they admitted his will as their
fupreme law. But inftantly, on the leaft hint of
his defign, the Scotch forces were reunited, and re-
ceiving a large fupply of money from the exa&ion
of a tenth penny throughout the land, and from
Richlieu the French minifter, (whofe affiftance,
Charles had refufed, from a contempt of the ftrength
of the covenanters, and which being interpreted
in another fenfe, by that powerful cardinal, had
determined him to fhew his weight to the king,
and whd Shortly experienced the want of it) ; being
alfo fpirited up by Montrofe, they took the refolu-
tion to prevent the king from obtaining the advan-
tage of naval, as well as land forces, by firft inva-
ding England.
Lefley was again appointed commander in chief,
who foon appeared with 25,000 men on the Englifh
borders, attended by committees of the ftates,
without whofe concurrence no ftep of the leaft im-
portance was to be taken, and furrounded by ped-
lars, who procured them the moft minute intelli-
gence. Having defeated a fmall body of troops un-
der the command of lord Conway, who was fent
to reconnoitre, they took poflefnon of Newcaf-
tle, and there publiflied a manifefto, fetting forth
their grievances, and appealed to the leagues in
France
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CHARLES I. 219
France in justification of their own conduit. They
protefted that their invafion was purely defenfive j
but atthe fame time declared, they were ready to
penetrate into the bowels of England with their
fword in ene hand, and their covenant in the
other.
The king, mean while, had formally denounced
them traitors, and at the head of 20,000 mtn,
which he had raifed with great* difficulty, was ad-
vanced as far as Northallerton ; but unwilling to
rifle his three crowns on the event of a fingle battle,
he returned to York, and reviving an antiquated
cuftom, which had never been practifed fince the
time of Edward the 4th, he there, by writ under
the great feal, fummoned a council of all the peers.
Wentworth, earl of Strafford, an arbitrary vindic-
tive nobleman and the king's favourite, was for
-war j the marquis of Hamilton, a favourite alfo,
and every other member except Strafford, warned
Charles againft driving the Scots to deiperation,
and earneftly begged him to give ear to, and redrefs
their grievances, which only could produce that
peace which they thought it his majefty's fntereft
to preferve. Thus the king, whofe heart went
probably with Strafford, was in a manner con-
strained into pacific meafures. He therefore figni-
fied his intention of liftening to the grievances
complained of, and which the Scots accordingly ^
couched in the following demands :
" 1 ft, That his majefty would be gracioufly
pleafed to command, that the laft a£ts of parlia-
ment may be published in his highnefs's name, as
our fovereign lord, with the eftates of parliament
convened by his majefty's authority.
" 2dly That the caftle of Edinburgh and other
Strengths of the kingdom of Scotland, may, accord-
ing to the firSl foundation, be furnifhed an J ufed«
for our defence and fecurity.
L 2 " 3 dly,
Digitized by GdOgk
220 New History of SCOTLAND.
" 3<Hy, That our countrymen in his majefty'*
dominions of England and Ireland, may be freed
iirom cenfure for fubfcribing the covenant, and be
no more prefled with oaths and fubfcri prions, un-
warrantable by your laws, and contrary Jp the na-
tional oath and covenant approved by his majefty.
" 4thly, That the common incendaries, which
have been the authors of this combination, may
receive their juft cenfure.
" 5thly, That all our fbips and goods, with all
damages, may be reftored, and made good.
" 6thly, That the wrongs, loffes, and charges,
which all this time we have fuftained, may be re^
paired.
" 7thly, That the declarations made againft us as
traitors, may be recalled, by the advice and council
of the ftate of England convened in parliament ;
and that his majefty may be pleafed to remove the
garrifons from the borders, and any implements
-which may flop free trade ; and with their advrce to
condefcend to all particulars that may eftablifh a
ftable and well grounded peace, for the enjoying of
our religion and liberties, againft all force, mo-
leftation, and undoing, from year to year, or as
our adverfaries fhall take the advantage. "
This lift, which concluded with a kind of apo-
logy for having advanced fo far into England, was
figned by the earls of Rothes, Montroie, Caffils,
Dumferling, and feveral gentlemen of wealth and
importance j who likewife wrote a very affe&ionate
and well-timed letter to the lord-mayor, aldermen,
and citizens of London, prefling them to continue
the Newcaftle trade, and alluring them of perfect
fecurity. This was a meafure extremely judicious,
and was productive of a very great friendfhip.
The demands made by the covenanters^ ran in fo
high a ftrain, that the arbitrary Charles boiled with
refent-
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CHARLES
221
relentment ; but impotent was his rage, his peers
infilled on the appointment of commiflioners to-
treat with the Scots, and on the appointment of
, fuch only as might he agreeable to them. They
were accordingly the following popular noblemen :
The earls of Bedford, Hertford, Effex, Salifbury*
Warwick, Briftol, Holland, Berkfhire ; vifcouht
Mandeville ; the lords Wharton, Pager, Brooke r
Pawlet, Howard, Saville, and Dunfmore. • And to
dbviate, every difficulty, which might arife from the
ignorance of Scotch laws, the earls of Traquaire^
Morton, and Lanerk, were appointed their affiftantj.
Secretary Vane, fir John Burrough, and Lewis
Stewart, were in like manner appointed to aid the
Scotch commiflioners,, who were the earl of Dum-
ferling, lord Loudon, fir Patrick Hepburn, fir Wil-
liam Douglas, John Smith, Alexander Wedder-
bourn, Alexander Henderfon, and Archibald John-
ftone. The vaft difference in the quality and num-
ber of each kingdom's commiflioners muft ftrike
the reader immediately. Rippon was fixedlfc/be the
place of treaty, and there the firft meeting wa£ jieli
on the 2d of October. After many debates, 6r
rather after the moft friendly conferences, in which,
both parties concurred to bound the royal preroga-
tive, and to curtail the exorbitant pow«j^^he
clergy, and flop the growth of popfSrypa^ %uce
was concluded on the 26th day of the fjXQkC month.
A free intercourfe was reftored, aricP the. fa*h of
850 /. a day, which the Scots had before levied^ onVcVi
the inhabitants of Newcaftle and places adjaceJit^ v "
was allowed them during the continuance of their
army in England, togetheir with the importation of
*dl neceffaries for its ufe, duty free. But as to the
more material parts of the treaty, it being im-
poflible to fettle them before the 3a day of Novem-
ber, when the Englifh parliament was to meet, the
decifion was therefore (though much againft his.
L 3 majeftyV
Digitized by GoOgle
222 New History of SCOTLAND.
majefty's inclination) referred to that meeting in
London. In confequence of this adjournment,
John earl of Rothes, lord Urquhart, William Drum-
mohd of Riccarton and Hugh Kennedy of Air were
added to the number of the former commiflioners j
and the army of the covenanters enjoyed the ad-
vantage of living in a fine country, at eafe, and
in the graateft plenty, till their caufe was deter-
mined j during which time they purchafed a good
frore of arms, and introduced the moft excellent
difcipline. Notwithftanding this, the Scots wifli-
ed that their affairs had been fettled, that they
might have returned into their own country, as they
were apprehenfive that the heavy contributions,
whilft they remained in England, might render all
in the north of that country their enemies. But
the difmiffion of their army would have Entirely
thwarted the views of the Engliih patriots ; for they
confidered the Scotch forces as the greateft aid in
compleating their defigns on Laud and Strafford 5
who at the affembly of the Englifh parliament were
impeached on the motion of the Scotch deputies,
attributing to their diabolical machinations all
the evils which Scotland had lately endured. They
were fhortly after attainted, and met their deferts
on the Scaffold.
The Scotch army, fatisfied in all their
1641. demands, (having in confideration of their
loffes and neceflities, been voted 300,000/.
by the Engliih, who ftiled them their brethren,)
had now returned to their own country. And
Charles, who had been taken in hand by his En-
glifh fubjecls, determined to repair to the parlia-
ment, which was then fitting in Scotland, though
highly mortified that thofe men ihould be called
brethren by his parliament, whom he had not long
before denounced traitors. He refolved on this
flep at the mitigation of the earl of Moiflrofe,
who
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C H A R L E S • I. 22J
who had now openly efpoufed his caufe, and had,
it is faid, inftilled into him a notion, that, as he had
granted them all their demands, (though it was in
fact the parliament which had done it) the Scots,
by his management of them, might be brought to
aiEft him in humbling the parliament of England,
with whom he was now at variance. In full af-
fu ranee therefore of fuch an unlikely fupport, he
appeared in their parliament on the 17th of Auguft,
lord Balmerino being prefident, and addrefTed it ia
the following language :
" My lords and gentlemen,
" THERE hath nothing been fo difpleafing to
me, as thofe unlucky differences which have hap-
pened between me and my people; and nothing
that I have more defired, than to fee this day,
wherein I hope not only to fettle thofe unhappy
miftakings, but rightly to know, and to be known
to my native country. I need not tell you (for I
think it is well known to moft) what difficulties I
have paffed through and overcome, to be here at
tjiis prefent : yet this I will fay, if love to my native
country had not been a chief motive to this jour-
ney, other refpeds might eafily have found a lhift
to do that by commimon, whicn I am come to per-
form myfelf. And on this confideration, I cannot
doubt of fuch real testimonies of your affections
for the maintenance of that royaF power, which
J enjoy after an hundred and eight defcents, and
which you have profeffed to maintain, and to which
your own national oath doth oblige you, that I
fhall not think my pains ill beftowed.
Now the end of my coming is fhortly this : To
perfect whatfoever I have promifed; and withal,
to quiet the diffractions which have and may fall
out amongft you. And this I mind not fuperficl*
ally, but fully and chearfully to perforin ; for I
L 4 affure
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224 New History of SCOTLAND.
allure you, that I can do nothing with more chear-
fulnefs, than to give my people a general fatisfac-
tion. Wherefore, not offering to endear myfelf
to you by words, (which indeed is not my way)
I defire in the firft place to fettle that which con-
cerns the religion and juft liberties of this my na-
tive country, before I proceed to any other act."
The fond attachment which Charles ftill pre-
ferved towards his prerogative is very vifible in this
fpeech, even while he is making profeffions, which,
if ever he meant to fulfil, muft have deftroyed it.
He diftributed honours even amongft his enemies
with a very liberal hand. Several of the principal
covenanters were fworn in privy-counfellors ; Lou-*
don was made an earl and chancellor of the king-
dom. Argyle, Glencain, Lothian, and Lindfay,
were jointly to difcharge the office of treafurer. The
firft was created a marquis, and the laft two, earls j
feneral Lefley was created earl of Leven, and made,
eeper ofEdinbuxghcaftle. i^ndto Mr. Alexajide^
Henderfon he gave the revenue of the royal chapel,
and beftowed church-preferments on feveral other
of their popular preachers, whom he attended at
divine fervice, teeming to conform himfelf intirely
to the eftablifhed church.
But however fanguine the king's hopes might
have been of fuccour from the Scots, fome of whom,
\t is faid, were touched with a fenfe of hisdiftreffed
condition j both houfes of the Englifh parliament,
by naming committees to attend the Scotch parlia-
ment, intirely baffled them, and prevented the bad
confequences of too good an underftanding between
Charles and his countrymen. In the beginning of
the following year, the horrio 1 rebellion broke out
in Ireland, and haftened the king's departure for
England. Parties had run fo high, and the pref T
byterian iitfereft there became fo predominant, that,
when
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CHARLES Z 22£
when Charles arrived at his palace, he was, in a
manner, blocked Up by the citizens of London**
-who imagined him to have been privy to the:
horrid tranfa&ions in Ireland. On this, his*
majefty retired firft to Hampton-Court, from thence
to Windfor, and at.laft to York, and the reins o£.
Authority were now in the hands of the parliament;
not however before the Scotch commiflioners had
endeavoured to accommodate matters} but, as in*
their interceflxon, they had expostulated pretty
freely'with the king, he rejected their advice with,
difdain ; though both houfes returned them thanks-
for their generous and friendly efforts.
England now became a melancholy fcene :. a pur-
ple tide from the veins of patriots, and fellow ci-
tizens, over-ran her fineft counties. The Scot*
were not idle fpeftators of thefe bloody proceedings,.
-For, by the treaty between them, and the two.
houfes of parliament in England, which was finiihecL
in 1643, the Scots agreed to raife an army of
18,000 foot and 3000 horfe, on Englifh pay y but
they were to advance their own expences ; nor was
a ceflation of arms to be concluded without mu-
tual agreement. Thus, in faft, the Scots, by thein
fituation, became the arbiters of England's fate, .
and by prudent management muft have been gainers-*
whatsoever fcale of war had preponderated.
The earl of Montrofe mean time had renounced*
the national covenant, and declared for the king,.
And having affembled, as his followers, aConfider-
able party of Highlanders, he ft rove eagerly in the.
caufe of Charles, in order to make fome recompence-
for what he termed his former diffoyalty. But to.
defcribe the particulars of his many heroic and al~
moll romantic exploits,' to attend" the covenanter^ .,
through the fields of horror, — and to relate the
many fruitlefs negotiations and difregarded mani-
feftos between Charles and his parliament, muft be
L 5 left,
Digitized by GoOgle
226 New History of SCOTLAND.
left to hiftorians in folio. Suffice it to fay, that
though Montrofe, by his aftonifhing vi&ory over
the covenanters at Kilfyth in 1645, reduced Edin-
burgh, and almoft all Scotland to the king's obe-
dience, who had created him his lieutenant-gover-
nor, and captain-general in Scotland ; he was to-
tal y defeated foon after by Lefley at Philiphaugh,
and the covenanters re-eftablifhed their power.
In England, the royal caufe was ruined by
the decifive battle at Nafeby; and the king, in
the utmoft diftrefs, not knowing whither almoft
to hafte for fafety, betook himfelf, on the 5th
bf May 1646, to the Scotch army, at that time
encamped before Newark. He undoubtedly chofe
this ftep, as the leaft of two evils $ upon the fup-
Kofition that the Scots were lefs exafperated againft
im than the Englifli. Charles was received with
the utmoft fefpe£fc ; but they watched him fo nar-
rowly, that he foon perceived himfelf to be in
reality their prifoner* After the hurry and confter-
nation, which had arifen in the Scotch army, on
the king's fudden appearance, was, in fome degree,
tiibfided; it was refolvfd, by the covenanters, to
acquaint the Englifli parliament that his majefty had
repaired to their camp. In the mean time, ail the
officers and men of note, laboured earneftly to clofe
the breach- between the king and his parliament,
to mutual fatisfadipn ; and for that end, the earl
Loudon, in particular, urged the king, as the
molt falutary metffure, to comply with their de-
mands. *
T " The parliament (faid this nobleman), are
poffeffed of Vour majefty's navy, and of all the
torts, garrifons, and ftrong holds in the kmgdom ;
they are' now in fuch a pofture for ftrength and
J)Ower, as to be able to do what they will in church
and ftate j whilft fome are>fo afraid, others fo un-
willing, to fubmit tbemfeiVes to your majefty's go-
vernment,
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CHARLES I. 227
vernment, that they defire not you, nor any of your
race longer to reign over them; yet the people are
fo attached to monarchy, that fuch as are weary of
your majefty's government, dare not attempt to caft
it off, till once they fend propofitions of peace to
your majefty, left the people fhould fall from them:
and therefore the houfes of parliament have refolved
upon the proportions, which are tendered to your
majefty, as that without which the kingdom and
your people cannot be in fafefy ; and moil part of
the people think there cannot be a feft peace or*
any other terms* Now, fir, if your majefty (which
God forbid) ihould refufe to affent to the propofi-
tions, you will lofe all your friends, and both king*
4oms will be conftrained, for thei* mutualfafety, to
agree and fettle religion and peace without you ;
which, to our unfpeakable forrow, will ruin your
majefty, and your pofterity : and if your majefty
rejed our faithful advice, who defire nothing on
earth more than the eftablifhment of your majefty's
throne, and lofe England by your wilfulnefs, your
majefty will not be permitted to come and ruin
Scotland. Sir, we have lain our hands upoii our
hearts, we have afked counfel and diredion from
God, and have had ourmoft ferious thoughts about
the remedy ; but can find no other (as affairs ftarid
for the prefent) to Taveyour crown and kingdoms,,
than your majefty's aflenting to the propofitions*
* We dare not fay but they are higher in fome things*
if it were in our power and opinion to 'remedy it*
than we do approve of j but when we fee no other
means for curing the diftempers of the kingdom,
and clofing the breach between your majefty and
your parliament, our moft humble and faithful
fervice is, That your majefty would be gracioufly
pieafed to affent to them, as thebeft way to procure
a happy and fafe peace ; becaufe your majefty mall
thereby have many great advantages * you will be
received
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aa8 New History cif SCQT&ANO.
received again in your parliaments with the ap-
plaufe and acclamations of your people ; by your
royal prefence your friends .will be Strengthened ;
your enemies (who fear nothing fo much as the
granting the propofitions) will be weakened ; your
majefty will have a fit opportunity to offer fuch
propolitions as you fhall in your wiftfom judge fit
for the crown and kingdom; all armies will be
diibanded; and your people, finding thefweet fruits
of your peaceable government, your majefty will
gain their hearts and affections : this win be your
ftrength and glbcy, and will recover all your ma-
jefty hath loft in this time of tempeft. And if it
pleafe God fo to incline your royal heart to this
advi.ee of your /humble and faithful fervants, who,
next to the hohour of God, efteem nothing more
precious than the fafety of your perfon and crown,
bur acHons fhall quickly make it appear to all the
world, that we efteem no hazard too greatrfor vour
majeity's fafety ; and that we are willing to facri-
ftce our lives and fortunes for eftablifhing your
throne. And now, fir, we proftrate ourfelves at
your majefty's feet, and (it the lowefi pofture of
humility, do beg that, your majefty may in the end
grant the fuit of your moft faithful fervants, who
have no private aims, but only the glory of God,
and the fafety of your majdry/s perfon, pofterity,
and crown, before our eyes. The granting our de-
fires will revive our fainting j fpirits, refrefh our
fad hearts,' which are overwhelmed, and like to
break with forrow, and will turn the prayers and
tears of many thoufands of your people into praifes
to God, and make them embrace your majefty with
acclamations of joy." * -
Thefe unanfwe^able arguments, delivered info
free, though fo refpe&frl a. manner^ and which
ace here recited at large to fhew the fenfe.of the
Scots in general, to whom, on tbtseccafion, man/
hiftorians
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CHARLES I. 22^
hiftorians have been urijuftly fevere, had no effect
upon Charles ; who, to the chagrin and disappoint-
ment of his friendly advifers, and though he had
been urged to comply by his queen, and all hi»
other friends in France, declared that he never
would agree to the parliament's propofitions, be-
caufe he held them, he faid, to be abfolutely fub-
verfive of that juft power, to which, by the laws
of God, and of the land, he was born.; and to
which, therefore, no perfuaiions, no intreaties, no
arguments, could induce him then to condefcend.
The EnglHh parliament, on the refufal of their
prepbfitions, now demanded that Charles fhould
be given Up; and the Scots, after fome immaterial
dHputes, concerning the right to the difpofal of his
perfon, prepared accordingly, to refign him in
form. The commons of England, having alfofig-
nified that they had no farther need of the Scotch
army, voted, in confideration of its good fervice,
afid for the payment of arrears, four hundred thou-
faritt pounds, half to be paid on their refignation
of the king, and the remainder in two years ; for
which, they gave no other fecurity than their pub-
lic faith. Many hiftorians infmuate that thisrotfnd
fum (which was equal to four millrofis and an half
of Scotch money) was a bait thrown out by the
independents in the EngHfh parliament, in order* to
draw the king from their Scottifh allies; the fame
authors maintain, that the Scots only detained the
king in order to make a property of his perfon,
which they confidered as a kind of furety for the
payment of their arrears. But the validity of af-
fertions like thefe is befl: eftimated from the courfe
of their actions, the freedom and genuinefs of their
public profeffions, their open behaviour and their,
fufferings, from the fum of which every perfon
fhould judge for himfelf, rather than pin his faith
en the opinion of another, actuated perhaps by in-
' tereft,
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<* 3 o New History 6* SCOTLAND.
tereft, or biafled by party. At Newcaftle, on die
30th day of January 1647, a committee, can-
lifting of the earls of Pembroke and Denbigh,
the lord Montague, fir John Cooke, fir Walter
Erie, fir John Holland, fir James Harrington,
Mr. Crew and general Brown, as the parliament's
commiflioners, received the unhappy monarch from
the Scots, and condu&ed him, under a ftrong
' guard, to Holdenby ; and the fame day, thefe
auxiliaries began a march, — highly agreeable, no
doubt, to the northern counties, in which they
had long quartered,— for their native country.
And now the fate of fallen royalty comes on
apace. From the time that the Scots had given
him up, the parliament, and the independent
leaders in the army, had alternately made ufe
of the moft circumventing arts, in order to
gain pofleffion of his perfon$ the latter at laft
prevailed. Whilft thefe were thus fhuffling and
cutting for the unfortunate icing ; in Scotland, *
large party, under the marquis now duke, of Ha-
milton, touched with his fufferings, and melting
with pity, eflayed, by force, to efted his enlarge-
ment. But Hamilton, more unfuccefsful in the
royal caufe than Montrofe had been, was not only
defeated in his attempt, but taken prifoner, and af-
terwards beheaded ; whilft. Oliver Cromwel, who
had conquered him, and who now began greatly to
diftinguifh himfelf, continuing his march towards
Scotland, was welcomed, on his arrival at Edin-
burgh, by a committe of covenanters appointed oil
the occaiion, with many demonstrations of regard
and efteem.
During his ftay in that city, it is faid, he was
often clofetted with the leading nobility and clergy ;
but of what nature their conful tations at thefe times
we.*, has never yet tranfpired. Cromwel left Edin*-
burgh at the latter end of the year 1648 j — and on
the
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CHARLES II. 231
the 30th of January following, the king faw in
death a period to his troubles. How far the Scots
were, in this refped acceffaries, has been a fubject
of controverfy, and, as Aich, moft likely, it will
ever remain.
The particulars of his melancholy fate;-— —
of his deportment on the fcaffbld, previous to the
awful moment of his di Ablution ; the juftice a
or impiety of the fentfhce, which impofed the
ftroke, and what authorities can juftify it; to-
gether with fuch traits of his character as do not
naturally arife from the tenor of his behaviour to
the Scots, which was to the laft degree fickle a/id
faithlefs; — are circumftances with which an hiftory
of his native country has little concern. It is fufR-
cient then to fay, that his whole reign, like thofe
of his fons and fucceflbrs, Charles and James, was
but a continued confpiracy againft the religious
and civil liberties of his people. He was beheaded
in the 49th year of his age, and the 24th of his
reign, by order of the parliament, and buried de%
cently at Windfor.
CHARLES H.
PRINCE Charles was fa the 18th
year of his age, and at the Hague, when 1649.
ne received the tidings of his father's fate.
The Scotch covenanters (to whom the indepen-
dents of England, who now took the lead in that
kingdom, had become extremely obnoxious) de-
termined, howmuchfoever they had proceeded againft
the father, to acknowledge and nroclaim the fon.
Accordingly, under certain conditions, which he
complied with, Charles was invited over* He
arrived in Scotland ia the fummer of 1650, and
- having
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232 New History of SCOTLAND.
having folemnly taken the covenant, was crowned
at Scone on the firft of January 1651.
Thefe proceedings were exceedingly difagreeable
to the commonwealth of England ; in confequence
of which, Cromwel, who was then their foul, though
he afterwards intirely fubverted it, marched into
Scotland, and with iome difficulty, took poffeffion
of Leith and Edinburgh. Charles, mean time, was
furnimed with a good army, and refolved to com-
mand it in perfon, appointing Lefley, lord Leven's
ion, his lieutenant-general. He encamped at Tor-
wood, between Edinburgh and Stirling ; and the
county of Fife fupplied him with provihons. But
as Cromwel foon cut off that communication, the
king was reduced to great ftraits ; being yet un-
willing to quit his itrong intrenchment to attack
Cromwel's veterans, he ftole a day's march of that
able general, and pofted to Worcefter, where he
expeited to be fo well received as to be very fhortly
in a fit condition to proceed to London. But
Charles, in this expectation, was too fanguine.
Cromwel, who, it is faid, wilfully permitted the
king to take this ftep, leaving in Scotland George
Monk, to command during his abfence, hurried
exultingly after Charles, and attacked him in camp
at Worcefter, on the 3d of September, with fuch
fkill and refolution, that the royal forces were to-
tally routed, and their young leader narrowly efcaped
being taken prifoner.
On this bad fuccefs,* Charles finding himfelf to
be without fupport, took* great pains to conceal his
perfon, and to; retire into France. A detail of the
aftonifhing fatigues 'which he underwent before he
could effect his purpOfe, is to be met with in every
Englifrr hrftory, fo that it is only neceffary to fay
here, that he eluded the m'oft diligent fearch, and
got fefe to Normandy bn tjb'e 22.d of October.
On
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C H A R h E S II. 23J
On the Jong's defeat, Crorawel repaired to Lon-
don ; and a committee of parliament congratulating
him c-n his fuccefs, he made a prefent to each of
them of an horfe and two Scotch captives. It was
now that CromwePs ambition began to expand it-
felf j ajid whilft he was taking large ftrides towards
the prote#:orfhip in England, Monk, his, lieu-
tenant-general, was equally fuccefsful in curbing
the royalifts in Scotland, In coi^fequence of which*
commiffioners were, fent from England to govern
that kingdom, and they tpok up their refidence at
Dalkeith. Having procured oaths of fidelity from
the principal magistrates arid peribns in office, they
promulged public a#s, in the name of thp com*
mojjwealth of England*, one of which jwas a kind
of an 3& pf grace, wherein they promifec| " Th*
protection . of ths Englifh parliament to all mar
giftrates smd minifters, who ihould live peaceably
under their authority} and an indemnity to. ajj
merchants^jr^Jeife^^, *ukL h«|dferafts, whofe e-
fta.te$ were not above five hundred pounds fterling y
and to all others, who were not foldiers andpri-
foners, whoff e&ates did not exceed two hundred
pounds, for ajl they had committed during' the; latf'
wars, and commotions."
Of the particular tranfa&ions of this govern-^ '
meqjt* there is no authentic account; From thi$
tim* therefore, till the death of Cromwel in 1658,
there is. a very disagreeable obafoi in the hiftory of
Scotland. On the demife of this great man,
Charles, ; who^ during the prote&eitafe, had reftded
chiefly at the French court and at Breda* began to
purfue thofe meafufes which he conceived might be
inoftly conducive to recpverhis crown. He under-
ftood that there wew many :partie& in Jkotland 5— •
and therefore he employed Mr* Jaipes Sharp, af-
terwards, the iMinQr&bjQ arebhifhftp, of St. Andrews*
to effect an union ol all :te lus inteteft Charles
himfelf
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234 New History of SCOTLAND.
himfelf had fccured the confidence of Monk by a
letter, dated the 21ft of July 1659, which he dis-
patched to him by fir John Grenville, and of which
the following is a copy :
"SIR,
*' I Cannot think you wifh me ill, nor have yoti
xeafon fo to do ; and the good I expect from you
will bring fo great a benefit to your country ana to
yourfelf, that I cannot think you will decline my
intereft. The perfon who gives or fends this to
you, has authority to fay much more to you from
me : and if you once refolve to take my intereft at
heart, I will leave the way and manner of declaring
it intirely to your judgment, and will comply with
the advice you (hall give me ; the reft I refer to the
perfon that conveys this to you. It is in^your power
to make me as kind to you as you can deiire, and to
have me always
Your affe&ionate friend,
Monk, having received this letter, and conferred
With the bearer, being an old trimmer, he prefently
grew zealous in the caufe of his royal mailer. He
convened the chief of the nobility and gentry of
Scotland, who were at Edinburgh, and told them,
that he was refolved to march to England in fup-
port of the parliament. As the protector, Richard
Cromwel, had been depofed, the Scotch royalifts,
who, by Sharp's intrigues, Were now pretty
numerous, imagined, that this refolution was equi-
valent to a -declared intention of reftoring the
king. Such in fa£t it was, though in an affair of
that confequence, Monk chofe to ad with the
utmoft fecrecy and circumfpedion. Sharp, who
alone, perhaps, was privy to his real defign, though
he affected to be ignorant of it, accompanied him
to
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CHARLES* IL 235
to London, from whence he held a regular corref-
pondence with his brethren in Scotland, aud not
only paved the way for Charles's reftoration^ but
for that of epifcopacy, and confequently for all
the horrid acts of persecution and cruelties, which
accompanied it.
The king, mean time, had publifhed
a declaration from Breda, granting a ge- 1660.
neral pardon to fuch of his fubje&s, not
excepted by parliament, who fhould embrace it
within forty days. This, backed by the addrefs of
Sharp with the Scots, and of Monk with the Eng-
lifh, met with fuch fuccefs, that he was invited
home without any terms, proclaimed at London
on the 4th of May, and at Edinburgh on the 14th ;
and on the 29th ne entered the former city, amidft
fuch joyous acclamations, that he fatyrically afked
c< What had become of the people who had kept
him fo long abroad."
. As Charles had been imprudently called in without
£ny terms, the Scots as well as the Englifh prefby-
terians, who had been the principal inftruments of his
return* foon faw the error of this ill-timed generofity.
All the folemn engagements, which ten years ago
his majefty had made to uphold the covenant, and
eftablilh prefoytery, were now intirely disregarded ;
having fecreuy embraced popery while abroad,
and conceived an utter averfion to prefbyterians >
the king was refolved, that, as in Scotland monar-
chy was reftored, fo fhould be prelacy, adopting
that abfurd maxim of his grand-father, no bifhop
no king, Charles, therefore, fettled a miniftry
which confifted of the moft violent high-church-
men j and the earl of Middleton, becaufe he was
the moft zealous for the hierarchy, and was of a
temper which would ftick at nothing to ferye his
mafter, was appointed high-commimoner in par-
liament. Middleton, eager to fhew his capacity
for
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*36 New History or SCOTLAND. x
.,ibr the office, procured, at one vote, a repeal of
'every aft of the Scotch parliament frorn 1640 to
^648.5 after which, by a Angle aft, he overthrew
Jthe whole eftablifhed government of the kingdom,
deftroye4 the national covenant (the abettors of
which were alfo from henceforth to be accounted
traitors) and *eftored epifcopacy. When his moft
intimate friends infinuated, that flower proceedings
might, in the end, prove more fecure, he anfwered,.
44 That the parliament was now at his beck ; tRat
he loved to ferve hjs mailer genteelly, and to do
his buftnefs at one ftroke."
It was eafy to fee that fuch hafty afts, to
make them any thing valid, muft be fealed with
blood. The commiffioner pointed out three per-
sons, one of the nobility, one of the gentry, and
one of the clergy, who had been the moft leading
men of the kirk or prelbyterian party, and devoted
them to inftant deftruftion. They were the mar-
3ui$ of Argyle, Johnfton of Warifton, and Mr.
ames Guthrie. The marquis, an amiable man*
as he was led to the block, heroically declared*
that he could die like a Roman, but he rather chofe
to fuffer as a chriftian, which he accordingly did*,
Guthrie was a ftrift follower of Knox, of prin-
ciples the moft rigid, and of a temper fomewhat
lingular. The king had formerly honoured him
with a vifit, at a time when he was ill in his room
at Stirling; and whilft his wife haftily rofe to hand
his majefty a chair, he would not fuffer it, faying,
«* Sit ftill, fit (till, good wife, the king is a young
man, and can reach a chair for himfelf " Though
thus deficient in good manners, he was a man of
learning, ftrong natural parts, and great piety, and
he met his ignorninous fate on the gibbet with a
primitive refolution. Johnfton by flight efcaped for
the prefent, but fuffered with pious refignation and
Roman fortitude two years afterwards. Thefe were
the
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CHARLES II. 237
the proceedings hi the year 1 661, in which, to the
treat regret of hiftorians, eighty-five hogfheads of
cotfifh records we're loft in their conveyance by
fea, to Leith from London, where they had been
carried by Cromwel.
Charles having th>is abolifhed that-
covenant which he had fworn to main- 1662*
tain ; having flaughtfered the very perfons
whom he had folemnly promifed to protect; and
having, contrary to his plighted faith, introduced
episcopacy, proceeded to eftablifh the church of
England hierarchy by perfecution, than which no-
thing can be more unreafonable, more incoftfiftent
to humanity, more unjuft, more impolitic, and
more directly oppofite to the fpirit and precepts of
the chriftian religion. Were confcience controulable
by human laws, or amenable to human tribunate,
Charles, in this refpecT:, and even the church of
Rome, might beexcufedj but confcience is not to
be forced irtto conviction; all attempts that way
can never produce it, and rnuft only add to the
number of hypocrites or martyrs. Bent, neverthe-
lefs, on this diabolical refolution, and though he
knew the Scots' invincible averfion to prelacy,
Charles conferred the metropolitan fee of St. An-
drews on Sharp, a» well in reward of his paft fer-
vices, as that he rightly judged him to be a fit
prime agent for that bloody bufinefs. The other
fees were alike filled by men, who were agreeable
to the difpofition of Charles, and fatal proofs foon
appeared, that the government of Scotland was be-
come truly epifcopal. Deprived of a comfortable
fubfiftence, and driven from their peaceful abodes,
the prefbyterian minifters preached undauntedly
in the fields, and on the hills, to hearers
who flocked to them inceflantly; which 1663.
they boldly continued, notwithstanding
an act againft non-conformity, that for its lingular*
4 feverity,
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*3« New History of SCOTLAND.
feverity, was called the Bijhop's Drag-net. JufHces
of peace were empowered to commit thefe con ven-
ticlers to prifon, without trial or juries \ and any
one found guilty of a third offence was ordered to
be banifhed to America. One fir James Turner
was employed by the council, it is faid, to ad, in
this refpe£r, both as an informer and as a profecu-
tor, though he was was befides impowered to be at
once the judge and the executioner of every law re-
fpe&ing church-government. Being backed by a
body of 20,000 foot and 2000 horfe, a kind of
ftanding army, at the earl of Middleton's com-
mand, ne performed his commiffion with the moft
cruel punctuality and exa&nefs j levied fines with-
out procefs, and committed the moft wanton in-
juries without the leaft provocation* Befides thefe
opprefiions in church affairs, it was declared that
no perfon who refufed to fign a renunciation of the
folemn league and covenant ihould be elected into
any kind of office ; but, on the contrary, that
every perfon, who fo refufed* ihould, from that
time, forfeit his privileges as a freeman and a mer-
chant. Every poffible method, in fhort, was put
in practice which could ferve to diftrefs the
wretched prefoyterians, both clergy and laity.
A>11 thefe calamities were thought by
1664. the commonalty, who for the moft part
were prefbyteriAs, to have their fruitful
fource in Sharp. Of this opinion the prelate, who
doubtlefs merited a great part of the fufpicion, was
well aware. But having no bowels of companion,
he was only uneafy, left, if he were not fupported
in the commiffion of his cruelties, by farther power,
he might experience zn equal fate with Laud, the
more relenting metropolitan of the king's lefs per-
fecting father. Sharp, therefore, urged all his
great credit at court, to procure in Scotland, a
'%urt of Inquifttion, or as himfelf was pleafed to term
4
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CHARLES II.
*39
it, an High Commiffion for Church Affairs ; and
with very little difficulty he procured it. To the
archbifhop thjs grant had been doubly defirable ;
for in thefirft place, the privy-council, with which T
he was not very cordial, was thrown out of any
{hare in ecclefiaftical government ; and fecondly, the
number of members of his inquifition, he judged
would ferve in a great meafure to wipe off any par-
ticular odium which had already been, or might in
future be, caft upon himfelf. From the temper of
the man, it is very natural to imagine, ' that he
ftrove as much as poffible to keep the great {hare
which he had in this bufinefs, a profound fecret.
This court of high commiffion was in power, un-
bounded, being authorjfed " to take cognizance
of, and punifh all offenders, who went about cor-
rupting and difaffe&ing people from their allegiance,
refpe£t, and obedience to the laws, and all who
expreffed their diffatisfa&ion to his majefty's autho-
rity, by contravening aits of parliament, or coun-
cil, in relation to church affairs/' Its members
were the archbifhop of St. Andrews, the lord Mon-
trofe, the earls of Argyle, Athol, Eglington, Lin-
lithgow, Hume, Galloway, Ann&ndale, Tweedale,
Leven, Murray; the bifhops of Edinburgh, of
Galloway, of Dunkeld, of Aberdeen, of JBreechin,
of Argyle, and of the Ifles; the lords Drum-
lanerk, Pitfligo, Frafer,tCocknm, Halkertoun, and
Bellenden ; the prefident of thefeffion, theregifter,
the advocate, fir John Hume juftice clerk, Mr.
Charles Maitland, the laird of Philorth elder, fir
Andrew Ramfay, fir William Thomfon ; the pro-
vofts of St. Andrews, Aberdeen, Glafgow, Air,
and Dumfries, fir James Turner, and the dean of
Guild of Edinburgh. Five of thefe, including par-
ticularly, an archbifhop or a bifhop, were confti-
tuted a quorum ; ^nd every officer in the kingdom,
whether civil or military, was to obey their com-
mands.
Sharp
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*40 New History of seOTLANO.
Sharp was now fatisfied, and he declared t& fh^
king, that he could ajk no more. Nor h&d * he'
reafon ; for from fuch a motley coort of bifhops,
peers, military officers, and common magiftrates,
vejted with fo abfolute an authority, what could
be expe&ed, but the moft unaccountable, unjuft
and cruel proceedings? Such accordingly followed ;
perfecution Tallied forth . with all her mercilefs at-
tendants j and the wretched prefbyterialis, whilft
panifts reclined in fecurity and at eafe, were devo-
ted vi&ims to her barbarous power.
The bufferings of thefe men, whidi are very
properly called thofe of the church of Scotland,
for feveral years, under this deteftable commiffion,
hav^s filled two volumes in folio ', without entering
therefore, into any particulars, it is fufficient here
to fay, that in point of feverrry they equalled, —
and allowing for a proteftant country perhaps exceed-
ed— a Spanifh inquifition ; and muft for ever rife in
judgment againft the infamous contriver.
Opprefled with fuch a weight of calamities, it
can be matter of little wonder to learn that in 1666
the. people in the weftern part of Scotland, which
was the moft laden, grew defperate. They attempted,
to throw off the general burden; and putting
themfelves, to the number of 1000, Under the
command of one Wallace, they feized on Turner,
who was then in that part of the kingdom, and
were about to put him to death, when read-
ing his inftrucftions, and finding that even that bad
man had not a&ed up to the full rigor of them,
they generoufly fpared him. Advancing to Peht-
land-hills, they were there oppofed, on the 28th of
November, by general Dalziel, whofe fuperiority
of cavalry, in the engagment which immediately
enfued, occasioned their total defeat. Ytw were
killed, Dalziel's troops taking particular care to
make as many as poffible prifoners, that they might
be
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C H A R L E S II. Z4r f
be referved for the cool, and therefore more cruel
purpofes of a future barbarity ; Wallace their leader
efcaped to Holland.
On notice of this defeat, the council fequeftered
the eftates of all the infurgents into the hand* ef
the lord treafurer. The poor wretches themfelve^
who were made captive, were crouded into a nar-
row loathfome dungeon without light or air, where
they experienced fuch mifery, as the reader may
form fome idea of, by recolle&ing the fufferings
of their countrymen not many years ago in the
Black Hole at India, which was a fimilar place of
confinement. Such as furvived their imprifoiuflent,
were brought to light only to fuffer the moft in*
human, the moft excruciating torments. The ck-
cumftances of whi,ch are thus defcribed, and com-
mented on, by that copious and accurate hiftoriait
Mr. Guthrie: " Their punifhment came under the
cognizance of the council ; and the common ques-
tion was agitated, whether by £heir receiving quar-
ter in the field, it was not understood that their
lives fhould be fpared ? It pafied in the negative.
Ten of the moft confiderable of the prifoners wert
tried, and hanged with circumftances of feverity,
if not injuftice. Some of the prifoners fuffered the,
inhuman torture called the Boots, which was in-
fixed by the leg being put into a cafe, into which,
wedges were gradually driven by iron hammers j
and if the accufed did not anfwer to the i3|§rroga-
tories as his tormentors pleafed, the boge of the
leg was Shattered to pieces, and the fubftance of it
converted into a jelly. Nothing could be drawn
from the fufferers, but that opppreflion and in-
juftice had impelled them to take arms. t Comtnjf—
fions were iJFued through all parts of the weft for
trying the prifoners j and executions became fo fre-
quent, that the hangmen themfelves relented, and
refufed to perform their office 5 and one of them.
M even
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a+a New Hi$to*y w SCOTLAND.
»
even preTdnted a long and ferrous reiribriftrance in
hi» owh vHithcution, Had the rebeHiorr been un-
provoked, it mufl have been inexeufable y but the
jAfergeffts wetfe far from being of fangtiinary tiif-
^efilion^ as appears from the^entte treatment they
gaVe to^ fit James Turner, one of their capital
enemies. The eirtumftanees of the executions
were atrocious ; and though I cannot afcertain the
precife number, yet they were fo frequent as to
produce from* court an order, under the hand of
Charles himfelf, that ho mote Hood fhould be
e The odium of all thefe feverkies, as this Writer
obferves* fell upon archbifhop Sharp, who, feconded
> by the archbifhop of Glafgow, not only continued
. the executions againft the king's exprefe order, tot
. -avciv propofed to bang up every man in the king-
dom vfrbo would not renounce the covenant and
conforih to epifcopacy. On this report, the prin-
cipal covenanters fled to Holland ; vut one Mitchell,
who ft represented to be a young enthufiaftic
preacher, refolved to affaffinate the author of their
&ftreflfes. He accordingly, in July 1668, dis-
charged a piftol at Sharp in his coach, who, how-
ever, received no harm 5 and Mitchell, whom no-
body offered to ftop, walked cooly off to his lodg-
ings, and efoaped at that time all fufptckm, but
we year? after he was executed for the attempt.
■ !• Sharp, it is faid, was now under a
1669. cloud with eveji his mafter Charles, tho*
he foon recovered his favour, and recom-
menced mVfeveritfes. In the foregoing yca'r^ a
militia had been raifed, confifting of 20,000 Hbrfe
and foot, maintained by a tax on land, which, as
has fince been but too cuftomary, was very une-
qually afieffed. Thus fupported, Sharp ventured to
fine the magistrates of Edinburgh in 50 /. ftefling
for fuffering a ftngle conventicle to be held in that
city;
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G tt A R L*E S '• IL -'- 143
;city; aftd he >and his "brethren were employed day
mud night in iffaing mandates for fuppreffing con-
- Vcittkles$ and for puniftiing thofe who frequented
them. To mention the trfcnfa&iom of the two or
-three years following, ^onH be nothing more than
a* needlefe repetition; the fame fchemes wefeadopf-
. cd ; ; yet new acts (which however wete merely fup-
j>limental) were found wanting, and were accord-
ingly procured.
But hi the year 1672, the earl of Lauderdale,,
- ^ cotriing* into ptfay, and being vefted with great power,
fbme indulgence in religious opinions was granted ;
bu* this indulgence proved as it was inteudei, more
>ih favour of papists than the prefbyteri<*ns. Three
• years afterwards, on that nobleman's decline^ per-
secutions ^ere again renewed. And in the year
;^?6, th^fpirit of witch-burning io prevailed, «*
^leflefled no fmall difgraceon the fenfe arid learn-
ing of prelates^ and feemed to threaten the efctrnc-
: tion of every old woman in the kingdom.
The fertile genius of Sharp fof every
thing, wicked, now devifed a fcherne 1677.
Which was trirly diabolical : He propofed
to iffue comrhiffions for raifing and arming the
Highlanders, («tfclunve of the landing forces and
of the militia) and of turning them loofe in all
parts amongft tlie covenanters, to riot at discretion.
He gained this horrid point ; and in February 1678,
tt 6000 Highlanders marched forwards and were par-
ticularly difperjfed over Cunningham and Kyle,
where, 9s well a* in every other place, through
which they pafled, or in which they were quartered,
they behaved as if they had been .in the hand of a
mod inveterate enemy. ? V
About a month previous to their march was the
execution of Mitchell. He had endured the tor-
ture with fuch fortitude as acquitted him by the
M 4 . . laws
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244 New History of SCOTLAND.
laws of his country. But at length, the generous
motive of preventing the torments of others, who
were apprehended on fufpicion, backed by a pro-
mife of life and limb, induced him to confefs that
he was the perfon who fhot off the piftol. On
this declaration, the faithlefs and unrelenting arch-
biihop, reprefenting, that, if Mitchell were uiffered
to efcape with impunity, he might not only renew
his attempt, but excite others to aflift him ; and
as in that cafe his life muft be expofed to every vil-
lain, he iniifted that Mitchell ( notwithstanding
his pardon had been entered in the council-book )
fhould be executed -, faying, " Let him glorify
God in the Grafs-market," alluding to the place of
execution.
But Mitchell's death^ together with the High-
lander's cruelties, both which were reflected on
with horror and deteftation, haftened * in all proba-
bility that circumftance which Mitchell's punifh-
ment was intended to prevent. For, in the year
following, the archbifliop, who, according to
Mr. Wodrow, was then inventing new and more
violent proje&s, was way-laid, in a journey to his
diocefe, by nine perfons, (fome of whom were. men
of fortune) with a prepared and determined refolu-
tion, fay fome, to difpatch him ; whilft others re-
prefent the tragedy which enfued, as the effect of a
fudden guft of pafiion, on the fight of a man by
whom they and their friends had fuffered fo much,
on a lone heath, and attended only by four or five
fervants. But however this may be, which is very
immaterial as to the fa&, — David Hackftoun of
Rathillet, John Balfour of Kinloch, George Bal-
tur of Gilftoun, James Ruffel in King's-kettle,
obert Dingwall, Andrew Guillan, Alexander
Henderfon, Andrew Henderfon, and George Flem-
ing, met the archbifhop and his daughter in a coach
on the 3d of May j and fhouting out u The Lord
has
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C H A R LIE S II. 245
has delivered him into our hands," they then
flopped his Mforfes, cut his traces, and bfetding
' his fervants, they dragged him from his carriage,
y . after having difcharged their carbines at him with-
out doing him any hurt, a circurhftarice, which,
; *\' according to the humour of the times, was then
attributed to magic. Believing him to be proof
\ "-* againft bullets, they aflaulted him with their fwords,
- and regardlefs of his cries and entreaties, theyexe*-
~ cuted their purpofe in a manner, barbarous indeed,
, but fuch as might be expe&ed from perfons of
warm difpofitions, when the grand object of their
p? hatred was in their power, and they conceived it
meritorious, even in the fight of God, to deftroy
m him. Thus flopped in his bloody career, was
f James Sharp arfchbifhop of St. Andrews, between
f whofe chara&er, as well as fate, there is fuch a
ftriking refemblance with thofe of cardinal Beatdun,
i that the reader, without any farther afiiftance, may
1-* draw the parallel.*
Though the prefbyteriahs in general afFe&ed
- highly to difapprove this violent proceeding in their
nine enthufiaftic brethren, yet as the fad: was ir-
revocably done, they blefled God, and adored his
i_-, righteous providence, for the general good which
they fondly imagined would refult from this
> particular evil. Contrary, however, to their ex-
pectations, as it was oppofite to jufti^ the v/
commiifioners»ftigmatized the whole body for thi*
r offence of a few, and on them revenged the
J i death of this* their chief member, by doubled fe-
/| verities. As 'to the a&ual perpetrators, it does not
^ appear that any of them, excepting Hackftoun^
^i' could, notwithftanding themoft diligent fearch, be
i Jj apprehended. Two years afterwards, this man was
W% taken, and in a fummary way condemned. He was
%io !«ttle fearful of death, that when previous to his
"^ execution, his hands, according to his fentence,
M 3 , were
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246 New History of SCOTLAND.
were amputated, he aiked, with great compofure,
if they chofe to cut off his feet : he vaulted from
the fcaffold, and after he was hanged,; his- heart be-
ing cut out, it was obferved, as Tome fay, t0 pal-
pitate on the knife,
Thofe covenanters who ftill remained in the
kingdom, being by the feverity of the government
harrafled and hunted again into rebellion, wett:
forced once more to try their fortune in the field.
Eighty of them, headed by a young preacher,' otie
Hamilton, fir ft affembled in arms at Rutherglen m
Clydfdale. Thefe, Graham of Calverhoufer, a roan
who was ever forward to execute fanguinary. pa>-
pofes, was ordered to fupprefc. But though he at-
tacked them whilft at prayers, Hamilton, whofe
forces were then augmented to thrice their original
number, repulled that able officer, killed thirty of
his men, and had very nearly numbered him amongft
forty or fifty whom they took prifoners.
On this fuccefs, they took heart, and became*
more entefprifmg : and as their number daily in-
creafed, they at length poffeffed themfelves of Glaf-
gow. Having expelled the eftablifhed clergy, they
lent forth a proclamation, under the name of " The
oppreffed protectants, now in arms in Scotland,"
declaring, that they fought in defence of their re-
ligion and liberties, againft popery, prelacy, and
the king^s fupremacy. As they committed but little
diforder, they were quietly fuffered to.afiemble, and
be joined by their brethren, that, as there was fuf-
ficient force in the kingdom at any time to crufh
them, the victors might be inriched by the greater
number of forfeited dilates.
Mean time, fuch an exaggerated account of their
infurre&ion and of their force was tranfmitted to
London, that Charles thought it expedient to fend
his fon the duke of Monmouth into Scotland, to
head Iris forces. He was ordered not to treat, but
. to
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to fig^t,, with the diffident*. , H^fp^ly^rriv^aj
Edij&Wgjh, marched againft. the*n #t fche head qf
the Scottift guards aad,rQm^ n^ime^f/^ li^lil^j
having DalziS for his UeutqnaruV and o/*cp\^e*e4
them at Bothwell-bridge. Unable^ tQ^f^jad; ^
fire of his artillery, Hamilton, who, is . fatd to have
heen deficient bpth in courage^ and condu&,-,%d
with feveral of his, followers in. great .confuSon*.
On which upwards of twrfve hundred, without
inking x ftroke* furreadered themfelves prifpiKjTf,
and kwQn hundred werejkijled in the pHri^f./I^e
duke viewed hismifer&ble .captives, with aa 3j# °f
^prnpaSon.^ He engaged to procure fonie <»itfjtg$-
tioa of their fufferings j ?nd in the me*n while ; hq
^jifmifled fuch as promifed tolive,peaceably,^o>
withftanding they might fufFer fome rigor under
their prefent goyernnmt. Three hundred pfpMin^
refta&ory wejre ftipp^d off to America an4,^e4 ii\
the voyage. ,.* j, _.,,-■
, Monpaouth gained th(s viciory>on the^d of Jum-^
grid having ifiued proclamations againft hajrbourin^
fuch of the diffidents as had been in arfris, $nd
who, oil, his promife of pardon, had nqt furren-
dered themfelves, he on the 6th of July following
fet out for London, Thus terminate^ ,thifr inft^
re&ion, and h^ppy was it fox the duTenters that $cir
coaquerot w^s of a difpofition fo heroic, fie jjer-
formed his promife to them by procuring aji i$t
. from his father, which was not a Jittle in their fa-
vour ; but coming through the hands of the Scotch,
commiffioners, they wok care tp clog it in foch <t
Planner, as almoft to marr its ■utility^ Synods and
public aflemblies, however^ were now peiaajitted,
and 'tis thought thajt Monmouth, . with 3 view to po-
pularity, would have interefted himfelf greatly ii\
the diflenting caufe. But the generous duke* who
was the darling of the Englifli, aiid greatly efte«n*ed
by the Soots, had foon after his retwa (for matter!
M 4 foreign
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1$ New History of SCOTLAND.
foreign to this hiftory) incurred his majefly-s di/J
pleafure. Thjs uiifeappy circumftance was feverely
felt in Scotland, whither the duke of York, now
reconciled to the king his brother, was fent towards
the »ci9fe of the year as his vice-roy.
The duke's character was every way
j($Oi oppofite to that of Monmouth; cruel,^
^ / bigotted, headftrong; indulgence hiwigi
her head, and under his aufpices perfecution ■ jtri4*
uraphed. His highrtcfs foon called a parliament^
and paiTedimany a&s equally unconftitutional, in_r;
confiftent, and oppreflive. One of thefe was the*
noted ftatute impofing, on perfons in ofBce, •#
teit-oath, by which they were to acknowledge
the king's Supremacy, renounce the covenant, and
embrace the doctrine of paflive obedience; m>t<*Y
withftftnding that a confeflion of faith was at the*
fame time ratified, as, in fome. *efpe&, inculcated
maxims of lawful refiftance. > Such an abfurd ajft>
it is no wonder that few ecclefiaftics of fenfe^
or^ decency could digeft. Many, confequently, fa«
ther than take the oath, refigned their livings* But
wjiilft the creatures of the court, and their toolset
the bifliops, fwallowed every abfurdity it contained r
the earl of Argyle refufed to fubferibe to it, &ny
further than it was confiftent with itfelf and the
Sroteftant religion. The duke by this was greatly
iipleafed ;» and as Argyle was a man of power, and
a prefbytertan, his ruin, from that time, was re-
folved on. And accordingly the good earl in r68i
was proceeded againft with fuch unjuftand fhame-
ful feverity, that meetly on this account he was
tried for leafirig-makiwg and perjury, and being
corivhSed, by a jury packed for the purpofej he was
condemned to' die. Being refpited, however, till
the king's pleafure fhould be known, and under-
standing, hy fuch perfons whom he had commif-
fiorted to intercede with Charles in his behalf, that
. >^ he
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' C H A R L E S * n. 249
herwas to expe& neither juftice nor mercy, hi
ietzeda^ kicky 6p£or*unlty to nirake r his efcajie and
fled to Holland. ' > ■"■•"■•*-> ii! ** !
From this time, his bighnefs aded .in ^ - ; '
Scotland with fuch dcfpotifm, as if he 1682*
were reiblved to root up the very c*onfti-
tution. By his order the folemn league and co^fe-
ham Was, with great formality, committed to the
flames; The earl of Aberdeen, who k called 1 the
Jefref tes of Scotland, was made chancellor ; and'
agreeably to that title he acted with Art>h ceafelefe
ieverity agaihft difienters, for two years, that dtf-'
ring this period their fufferings alone forrn the hifc
tory of the kingdom. Women with child, and ;
with fuckmg children at their breafts, were impri-
foned, and, in their confinement, ill-treated. Thtt'
boufe of a father was no flielter for even ftriplings,
Who, on the flighteft misdemeanor were tranfported*,
as flaves, to Jamaica or America; and this punifh-
ment was deemed mild. Indeed it was really fo, J
when compared with the bufferings of others," who
being told by fome ignorant enthufiaftic preachers,
that to fay «• God fave the king " was idolatrous,
were, to the number of thirty, hanged up 1 for their
refu&l. Many, unable to bear their hardihips,
abandoned their native country, and made a fettle-
ment in Carolina. Whilft others of a difpwrion
artful and vindi&ive, made ufe of this fcheme <
in order to Join their fuffering friend* inv England*
who maintained a correfpondence witfc. Argyle in
Holland, and were ripe for a revolts
They deeply engaged fchemfelvcs wi A the pro-
jectors of the Rye^houfe plot; Argylc/was to fup*
ply them with arms, and the duke, of Monmouth
was to furnifh them with maney. But the plot
mtfcarried, and Bailie of Jervifoood, a man of in-
tegrity and abilities, who managed the Scot tifhipart
in* it, was apprehended, and 4eji|K> jMafone* . to 4 Scfrt- •
M 5 land.
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2$d New Hi*tqry of SCOTLAND. I
fcgitlr* But though nothing capital could* be pt*oVed
agaiftft htrti, it wastheduke'fc pteafare thki He {hdfcld
futferV 1 He Was accordingly convicted of kreaferti
and left, being almoft reduced to the brink df thfc
grave, a natural death fhould difappctint the duke*s
vengeance, he was executed immediately after hi«
trials • !
r - There now feemed to reign in Scotland
; * ^1685^ an uni ver fat anarchy. The ^common peci-
i; - . plej deprived of their paftorSj whoori dfc-
^*ers f p tfetexts were either banifhed, irrtpriforied* or
-niurdered, rolled in a fea of troubles without rud-
otel" or compafs. They affembled in numberleTs
petty focieties, published feveral papers, which at
that time were called treafonable, and promulgated
the -doctrine of Knox. On thefe proceedings the
blood-houndfi of perfecution were let loofe, and
; Worried them to death inceffantly.
The following order, from the council, which
- Was, executed with great punctuality, will folly
ferve to characterize this barbarous period : ^'lt
being put to the vote in council, whether or ttot
any perfon, who owns, or does not difbwvr; the
late traitcrous declarations upon oath, whether they
have arms or not, fhould be immediately killed be-
fore' two witnefies, and the perfon or perfons who
>-aye to have inftru&ion from the council few that
effect ? XJarf ied in the affirmative." " The lords of
-his majesty's privy council do hereby ordain any
perfon, who owns, or does not difown, the iate
treafonable declarations upon oath, whether they
' have fcrrafc or not, to be immediately put to death - y
this being always done in the prefertce of two wit-
>neffes, and the peribn or perfons having commihlon
: Iron* the council fcr that eftecV'
The duke had now returned to Ejaghnd^ ac-
companied, notwithftanding all his horrid cruel-
ties, with encomiums from the fervile %i(ho^s of
Scotland,
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S$<«Iajuk ba h& ^14 admittiftrarf^i *Mfat ktog-f
cIqjr*. JfafcGbaxles^w*lJk^
Cf&i Hd,i«*|Qp at this- tifflpe to have tfuNgk^that
&Q Wotfcety in/ point «of feyewty, had ex<*eeded hw
c^mmiffiori, and that, it was rather his iniereftto
taj^aie tfejia ^rfeoyto ^he preibyteriaiie. - ^ , :
Lord Perth, who governed Scotland in the dike's
rabfence, was every day devifing for that wretched
people a frefh fpecies of torture.. He beheld their
agonies with vifible fatisfa&ion, and Scrutinized
their, wri things land coavulfions with the mpft in-
human curiofity and exactnefs. The duke of York
had done the fame : but the king now ordered Pertii
te> doftfc, rod U* brother to repair back aapro to
. ^pjAaady call a fcetiiainiiaftration, and endeavour
by , gejtfJe . vtfoge to make the diifenters his friends.
York by np means relifhed this command^ and he
would fain have evaded it 5 but the king per&np-
torily bytng « Brother, ekher you muft go or I/'
Jtehggan to make preparations for his journey ♦ Bu|
hefors his departure, it was prevented effectually by
M til cMwrrfkance whicli-^o him, was ne deujbt ^ex* *
rtramdy agreeable. It was the king's deaths that
happened on the 6th of February*
kuipcioas ikw about that he had beqr* ppifcned*
^fpccialiy as when he was embowelled his interlines '
were not permitted, it k laid, to be pgopqrfy exa-
mined ; and there arofe fwwn his whole 'body a tpoft
Joathfome ttanch. Many lit on hi* brother, who
.nevertheless Juccceded him, without the leaft ript
or lhadow of apportion. The jcing*^^ death very
likeiy arofe from aa apoplexy ; or he nttght fravto
been carried off by the divides of the jefotts, who*
at /that tune governed France and Spain* as well as
the duke of York* cheUr fehfcfl&ea were jwk* to tje
, uoriddled apr their, fc^tsdrfextf^fedt
The king .when he die4 had- feigtjad ©ve» Scot-
kodthirj^foujr yetfa* iu*4 vm/m the 54th; year
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2^2 New, History or SCOTLAND.
of his age t . ^jfpfifk prieit .during his illne& f ad-
'^'^ivUl^re^to ^&i^ j^e^iacxaiiMnt.^ and in the cort*-
^nmiori qt d)e Rpmifli, church he,e*pi*ed.4* Twto
papers, wnfteri with his own .hand,, in ksdfefenoe,
* ^ere discovered in his clofet, and ta thdfwtber-in-
jury of his memory they were pablifhedby his^Ub-
"'" v , ^ r • ,:, ,.,,/ . v " : .-- -- ;-'' ' ^
\; ;'T j 'a m e' s . "vii.V^.-'n^'^-
, Mt THOpGH James never took the coro-
> V, iiatipnoMbviw^^ivedithecmwi^wlth-
pirt difcuiS^g. rf*e quefUon which oftithts ©ccaGfcn
naturally: occurs* historians in genera) in tide ! him
Icing of S^oUan4* Officers were continued in*hctr
relpe&iye places* and the government flowed onJh
its wonted channel. Perth* in order to. ingratiate
himfcjf wi^h .his new matter, embraced hi» reli-
gion, arid ^e marked his change of faith byfbefli
puniflimenj: of the diflenters. Women were r<not
exempted from his cruelties z previous to tranfp»©f-
tation. they were either feverely whipped, or brand-
ed wity hot irons ; and two were inhumanly
dro^^ being tied^to ftakes fixed within the flood-
mark, m the water of Badenoch near Wigtoun. t
ff But nyy, the earl of -Argyle, for the b5*e ufage
lie had revived,, was meditating revenge. Mrs.
jSfrnith, a wealthy and zealous widow in Anfften-
^dam, ha^ preXen ted .hjim, with ten thousand pounds
fieri ing, tc| purchase ammunition and, arms; His
intended irmfipn being na feoret, a proclamation
jivas iSkcdiox putting, bcojtland ia a.pofture of de-
fence. " The vijW^,pf Argyle, in this' inuaftoa,
are noj tfery clear. v £ome are of opinion that, as
lie gaye the king. pother title than that ofc James
, • duke
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1 -J A M E S Vil. *ij 3
<h*keof Albany and 'York, he probably ^WVc'd'ta
the 4:fowrt <$ ^others rrfta^iried* that', as colonel Runi-
bold the fttrious ' reputmcari acc J 6rrrpariiea' him, hi
hi tfcrtded *o abotiffi monarchy Wid eftablifh a com-
monwealth : but whatever his fchemes were, the
ill fticcefs of his expedition not only rendered tjiem
abortive, but deprived him of life. The earl and
his followers landed at a place called Tobermore in
the ifle of Midi ; from thence they proceeded to
Kin tyre, where his eftates lay, and there he was
joined by fir Duncan Gampbell at the head of 1200
men. Argyle, however, was fo little capable of
making a formidable appearance, that his whole
forced yiAtaot amount to two thoufand ; and thefe
fph* and divided- mtd many difagr^eable' parties, (H
thtttrio regular £lan 6f operation could be purfued.
<Rumbold; who commanded one 6f th& regiments,
fenced the caftle of Ardkinglafs, where he was foon
blocked up. Argyle, with the reft of his forces
proceeded into the Lowlands; bUt being obliged
to leave his magazines behind him in the caftle of
Allangreg, thty, to his utter ruin, ; fell into the
hands of the earl of Dumbarton, who was follow-
ing him at the head of a prfetty confiderable army.
Agyle endeavoured to repair this lofsby attempting
a march to Glafgow; but, being mif-leiilir his
guides, he fell in with Dumbarton. OathJsevent,
the moft part of his followers thought >ohfj? of pro*-
viding for their own fafety; and fttelting them-
felves into fntall : bodies, they efcaped fcpercjW-
tibly.
The poor earl, thus deferted, quitted his horle,
and attempted to make his efcape by crofling
the river of Inchannark; but a countryman fol-
lowing him in, took him prifoner up to his neck
m water. He was ftraightway dSidudted to Edin-
burgh, where, in a very little time, and without
undergoing the formality of a fecond trial/ he was
beheaded,
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3J4 New Hjrro** or SCOTLAND;
beheaded* p^uan^tafys iaraiqr fcn^pce*. whilfi*
}n Eng}afl4 j^jduke of Moflipouth >r exj)er^cing
f^e like^adiu^efs, Shared the, fame fa^e. ,< i t ^
, Few now but papifts were prejfi^w
, i68£. , red in either , kingdom to vacant *>fc
4 \' I# / iices of truft and emolument. Ja#ies
Mightily extolled the loyally Qjf his.RproUk fo%£fo
in S^ptJanoV and defired in a letter to the ifcate^ ,tjhat
jijeg m^g^t be allowed all poflible indulgence, and ^y
way of inf/wing the £ue performance of hi* |deah
fure, jn ^JfijstgpEk) the earl of Murray, who. wa^
A ftrong one, was appointed high commiffionef.
But an event foon took place, which was np lefe
xlifogrefeable to the king, than it was, initfelf, fu4~
flen> unexpe&ed, and extraordinary. At a %&y
f]if l^rliameafe which met in the fummer oijjtfrp
yea?, the memlK,* almoft unanimously, fteod up in
fupport of their religious liberties. The ?preft*
which in the former two reign* had bee^i carefully
locked up, now jregained her liberty, aiyl flga&ly
teemed with the : moft ^ealfu* perforiaan^s agajnft
the indulgeflccof papifts : whilft. others reaf©4*e4
after the moft daring wwver in defence of ,lhe 4ftf~
; penfmg power. *« It may be a*g<*ed { fajd qne) that
by refufing to confer to this moderate eafe to pa-
.piftV,a moft dangerous,, and almoft an rapwabte
blow and ^ound may be ocsaftoned to the protec-
tant sburrtMud religion. s for if t&e king_pleajfe {and
if he be irritated and frovoksd. it is haad tp fay wfotf
hj# majefty will do)he-jnay, wijthOtt* violating a«y
law, at one uro*c, remove all proteftant office^
andju4ges ftpm the government v of tbe ifca{e,, and
all pijqteftant bifhppe from the goverttfjjienj; iof the
church* and fo die whole goygrnmenty fcjoih of
cbwch an4 #ate, may come to^be lodged in the
iands -of fuch a* Cannot, be ju^ged<fo friendly to the
proteftant intergft : and is not fehe«ex«lj»fipn,©/pro-
teflaftts from all power or authority, either in
i church
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J A M £ $ VII. a**
church or ftate,- a greater hurt j and prejudice ^fco 6uf
relrgibn, than any thing that cajterifae'ttpoftSi few
papifts enjoying theiir effetes and -lives? nay, and
What if his majefty fbould proceed, upon this juft
provocation, ta fill all thofe . places with papifts ?
if he Qiould, we muft fubmit ; and tire tied by our
principles and religion not to refinV" ; r * j
But the Scotch parliament foot* jn^d« it apparent
that fchis language coritained meite fcpfetftry y fine*
iffuch things ihould ever be attempted, theyvde*
blared themfdves determined to joiri^irt oppohtibn..
From hence muft be conceived a moft yeneraMe
refpedi for parliaments, which, generally fpeakihg,
are the bulwarks of liberty. James might have
baffled aiew of his> fubjeds, however ferifibly and
fteadHy they might have thwarted hint; hut he
found, that it was impdffiWe to carry a difagreeable
point againft ait united parliament. James there-
fore to procure any degree of eafe for his Ro-
mifh fubje&s m Scotland, was obliged tp to-
lerate a31 modes of religion by abolishing the fcdh
He performed this matter, however, intirely : in the
ftile of an abfolute monarch ; for in a pnociama^
tion tffiied on the 5th of July 1687, it was feid
that "the king, by his fovereign authority, and
prerogative royal, and abfolute power, Hdpends,.
flops, and difables, all penal and fanguinary laws
fbr noii-confonmty to the religion efttbliihed by
The pre%teria»s ? believing that 1j«& abortion-
of the teft was principally intended for their advan-
tage^ were eager to return his majeily an addref?
of thanks. But finding that the papifts* gained
ground every day, they were foon of another Way
of thinking, and acoonimgly repented of theirhauy
conduct, in addVeUng the king before the. motives
n of his conduct had been thofou^hiy known; 1 .
Towards
• *
Digitized by GoOgle ^ ^
756 New History ^f SCOTLAND.
:•;; :.- ;^ow*rfl$ the begin rt i ng of th$ yeaf
<l688i J there 3 Wib ; a pirWic thanfgivito in'Scot-^
~* lairaV'oh kccount of the ^ueerrc declared
pregnancy. *, And news dame in the fummer that fhe
was brought to bed of a fori. 1 On this occafion the
papifts were trahfported With the moft extravagant
joy; whilft, from ^variety of probable and ftrong
circutnifance's, ^tbe prefbyterians^ dnd the favourers
•of the prince of Orange, adopted a notion that the
birth was 1 artDjrether fuppofrtitious. Burnet, the
writer of the hiitory of thole times, is srgreat ftidcler
for this opinion, which he laboured to propagate".
But (as the judicious hiftorian, before quoted^ has
faid) fuch a fufpicion, though principally adopted
by* the whigs, is to K the caufe of lrberty ratherin-
jurious : for, whilft it was c6nfidered as a fpurious
oflfcpring, a great part of the merit of the glomus
revolution muft evaporate, becaufe fome doubt muft
arHe in the mind, what the event might have been
had the birth been real. The principles upon which
the revolution was founded, have no regard to fuch
fuppofitions ; for they muft have taken place inde-
pendent of all confideration of the birth, or of any
right derived to the offspring of the king and queen.
So' that upon the whole, the fundamental of the
BritiuV&bnftitution feem apparently to be weakened,
by admitting a qu eft ion of this unhappy birth.
Great was the joy in England on the happy
arrival of the prince of Orange; and as foon as
tht.importwit.e^ent was known in Scotland, that
country rang with fhouts of approbation. But
when this piece of news was rucceeded by an
account Wut James had made his pitiful re-
treat, the joyous Scots ran riot in their expref-
fions of fatisfaSion; whilft many of the no-
bility and gentry inftantly repaired to London,
the^4>6purace^ eSger to exprefs their abhorrence of
Jarries, and his p<5pj£b mihifters, aflembled in bo-
u ■ " . dies >
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J AM E S VIL> " 257
dies, patrolled the ftreets, and every .where infulted
both jpapifts and episcopalians. The earl of Perth,
unable to contrbul their intemperance, and be-
ing apprehenfive for his own fafety, having, been
compelled, on the prince of Orange's , fuccefs, /
to dtiband the army, refigned the great fcal, and ,
retired from Edinburgh $ and the bifhops, raor$ (
out of fear for themfelves than any other,, mb^ v
tive^ ran haftily to London, where they qhin^dV,
in with the tone of the Englifh. The populace,,,
thus Jeft to themfelves, grew very riotous The v
kingV chapel at Holyrood-houfe, which had been ,
fitted up in the molt fuperb ftile, having been
intended for a popifh feminary, was defpoiled of
all its images, ornaments, and rich furniture; ,
and in general evenr houfe of note, which, be-:
longed to a papift, fhared the fame fate. In every,
ftrcjet his holinefs was burnt in effigy ; and down
vjith pvpery was the univerfal cry. The vulgar,,
having iufliciently tired themfelves with thefe ex-
ploits, grew calm 5 and paid obedience to the com-
mands of the marquis of Athol, who being re-
ated to the houfe of Orange, had, on Perth's re-
tirement, taken the lead in government.
Mean time, the nobility and gentry, who had
potted to London, were invited to St. James's,
where the prince of Orange alked their advice
concerning the affairs of Scotland. £or ma-
ture deliberation, they repaired to Whitehall, and
chofe the duke of Hamilton their prefidenk Th&
earl of Arran, Hamilton's fon, propofed that an ad-
drefs fhould be fent to James, defirmg him to re-
turn to Scotland, and afTemble a free parliament j
but this motion being univerfally condemned, it, ,
was refolved, that the prince of Orange fhould be t
invited to affume the {reins of government in Scot- .
land, and appoint?, general meeting of the ftates on .
thei4th of March. The prince received their of-
fer in very obliging terms 5 and then the members
of.
f( $fa (council wturried to E4inbu|-gji, TJiey foiwwl
op their arrival, that the duke 0/ Oord<*n had pof*
(eflibdi himfejf of the qaftle of Edinburgh in behalf
pf king James. They therefore proclaimed bin* *
traitor, and jbefieged the qaftle in form \ but t}ie,
duke had the addfefs. to manage his .affairs in fuch
a manner^ that after ^ying^endmred a three month V
fiege he qbtained very favourable terms for himfclf
and the whole garrifon.
: Qn the meeting of the S.cotch parliament, they
proceeded immediately to, nominate a v committee w
fettling the government, Eight lords, eight knights t
and eight burgefles, were accordingly appointed to
manage this great ^affair. In the couife of their
proceedings, no man diftinguiflied himfelf more
than fir John Dalrymple : he entered at once on the
queftion with vaft ftrength of argument ; and having
blamed the Engliih for their childifb debases on the
words aUlketed and deferttd* which, he conceived tQ
be equaj^y ijornatcmjf whea tjie throne was <tet
clared vacant, he propofed the following vote, and
it met with the moft ready aflent : u The e&ates
of the kingdom of Scotland find and declare, that
king James the 7th, being a profefled papift, did
iffume the royal power, and a&ed as a king, yrith-
out ever taking the oath required by law ; and had*
by the. advice of evil and wicked counfellors, iftv^
ded the fundamental conftitution of this kingdom,
and altered it from a legal and limited monarchy tQ
an arbitrary defpotic power y and had governed the
fame to the fubve,rfion of the proteftant religion,
and violation of the laws and liberties of J|he na-
tion, inverting all ends of government, whereby he
}xaAfcrfiiud tfre right of, the crown, and the throne
was become vacant,"
James, together with his pofterity, being, by this
vote, cut oft from any rightjothe crowa of Scot-
land* an Q& dire&ly paffed for fettling it yponJaing
.*, William
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WILLIAM and MARY- *$?
Wflliam and queen Mary, Sir John Dalrymple, 3
and fir James Montgomery, were then deputed to
make them a folemn tender of the crowrl. Thfcfe
genttemeh were received with great courtefy ; and
their majefties accordingly took the coronation oath,
tho* mot till king William, obferving a paflage there-
in which required the extirpation of papiftfc, and
other enemies to the true worfhip of God, had de->
clared, to his immortal honour* that he took ttha
oath in no fenfe which naigjn (\ibje<S|; htmfelf to
promote, encourage, or even to countenance per-
secution.
W I XL I A M and M A R Y. • •
i 68q THE king, immediately on htf corohati-
^' on, proceeded to fettle the adminrtrratkm of
Scotland. The duke of Hamilton was appointed high
commiffioner, and lord Melvil* who hid known his t
majefty in Holland, was made fecretarv of ftate,
Th£ gr*at feal tfas committed to the cuttody of the
duke of Hamilton, the earl of Argyle, and the earl
of Sutherland ; the privy feal to the eatfl of Forfar,
the earl of Kintore, and the lord Carmichael $ the
treafury was intruded with the earl of Crawford,
the earl of Caflils, the earl of Tweedfcle, the lord
Ruthven, and the matter of Melvil; and the office
of clerk-regifter was filled by the lord Belhaven 4
and four others.
At th£ meeting of the parliament, 6n the 17th
day of J-une, the fettlfcnent of the church cama
firft and principally under confederation. It was
voted " that prelacy and fuperiorky of any office in
the church, abote prefbyters, ie, and has been^#a
groat and infupportable grievance and trouble to
'■[-■ ' ' .. tthis
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. 36* New rtisVbiy *6* StOVhMJDi-
•this hatiohi and contrary to the inclination of th£
generality of the people ever firice the retbrntSti&h;
ahd therefore it Ought to be abolifhfed." E£iftj&-
pacy ih Scotland, was thus finally exploded f thtf
k is ftid, thattW re-eft ablifhment df preftytery*
was attended, at firft, by the moft terrible abufes.'
The old epifcopal minifters were hot barely dfcprived :
of their livings, but are reported to have beert"
driven with their wives and children into thefiefifcJ
where many of them, through a cruel 'negligence,
periffied by cold and hunger. As there was; liow-"
ever, no law in being that thefe exiles fhould nor
beailifted or relieved, thefufferings which they riif-''
derwent do not affect the legiflature, though the
want of companion which the Scots in general**
teftified on thefe occafions, ftrongry mark their
abhorrence of epifcopacy, whilft the grievances, j
which they had fo lately experienced under that
form of church-government, may plead fome ex- L
cufe for the'mal-treatment of its mercenary tools
and officers.
The parliament having thus fettled their reli-
gion, they totally abolifhed that iniquitous com-
mittee called the Lords of Articles • and, in fine,
rectified feparately every abufe which had been per-
mitted in the two reigns preceding.
Although king William was now firmly "^
1690. eftablifhed on the throne of Scotland, the
viftount of Dundee perfifted in the caufe
of the abdicated James. Retiring to the High- J
* lands, he fummoned the clans to join him, and en- ~
tered Lochabar at the head of two thoufand men,
James had fpurred on this ftobleman by the pro-
wCe of a numerous reinforcement from Ireland, ~
^vhere he then was; inftead of which, Dundee
on)y received about three hundred naked recruits.
Mean time, general Mackay advanced with Wil-
liam's forces as far as the paft of Killikrankie ; afltf *
the
t .
Digitized by GoOgle
WliUAM and MARY. a6t
the vifpount, notwiAftan4" l &;hiiS ^i&Pppiatni^, •
determined to attack him; which heditf wit^ fiich
vigour,, fword in hand, that Jvlac&ay's troop* g$ve
way, and were totally defeated. But as, the vie?*
tory was purchased with the lofs of the vifcoimf
himfelf, who fell by x random fhot as he was
giving orders about the purfuit, the rebels* up-
on the loCs q£ their leader, who was the life T of
Jfames'.s qaufe, made no proper ufe of their £po<L
fortune, but, as. is molt commonly the cafe with
mercenaries, buued themfeives, wholly in plunder. -
Shortly afterwards* however, thefe Highlanders
were headed by fir Hugh Cameron of LochieL He«
attempted to furprife the town of Invernefs, ( after
-which he marched to Strathfpey in the county of
Murray, where he received forne ammunition,
cloaths, and arms,, which James in two frigates
had fent from Dublin, under the care of co*
Jonel JBuchan, who had, orders to eopimaod what
forces could be raifed in his name. But Buchan
had fcarcely joined Cameron, and put himfelf at
the head of his Highlanders, ere a Dutch colonel
of the name of Levingfton, with about three thou-
fahd men, attacked and defeated him at a place cal-
led Cromdell. Levingfton having received no or-
ders to make the moft of vi&ory, all the High-
landers, excepting about four hundred, who were
either killed or taken prifoners, were allowed to
retire without purfuit; and though fometime af-
terwards they were promifed a pardon by king Wil-
liam if they would conform to his government,
they refufed the offer at the inftigation of Cameron,
who would never treat, he (aid, with the prince of
Orange. n
, King William pitied the miftaken nor .
io 9 1- tions of thefe people, and was exceedingly
willing to procure tfeeir allegiance; which the earl+
of BreadaJbane undertook to effeft, provided he*
were
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a6a N*w; History of SCOITJLANO.
were fumi&ed with fifteen th6ufend pounds* Thfc
carl accordingly received the money » and he intended
to have parcelled it out among the heads of the
Highland clans; but he foon found that he had exp-
gaged for more than it was in his power ta perform.
Camwon indeed promifed to acknowledge the king's
authority and live peaceaWy, but though' military
execution was denounced againft fuch as would not
take the oaths before the clofe of the year, Macdonald
of Glencoe refufed to fubmit. Breadajbane, piqued
by the knefficacy of his fcheme, and particularly
exafperated againft Macdonald, who, befides Ms
oefu&l, had committed fome depredations on h?s
eftates, reprefented the obftinacy of thisjacobite in
fuch ftrong terms, that orders came from kiftg
William to punifh him and his tenants as by pro-
clamation had been threatened. Macdonaji^^pjeari
time* intimidated by this declaration, determined
to take the oaths $ but the obftinacy of his temper
hindered him from fetting about the performance
of this resolution till the very laft-day of Decem-
ber. He then repaired to Fort Wiiliam with an
intention to fwear allegiance before colonel Hill
the governor ; but as it unluckily happened, that
this officer was ne* civil inagiftrate, Macdonald was
referred to fir Colin Campbell, high ftieriff for the
eottnty of Argyle. Before he reached that place,
the proclamation was elapfed, and therefore though
the iheriff had adminiftered to him the oath, the
Highlander and his clan were yet expofed to pu-
jiimment.
b Breadajbane feems to have been re-
169a. folved not. to let flip fo fair an opportu-
nity to glut his vengeance ; and the king
being ignorant of Macdonald's fubmiflion, captain
Campbell of Glenlyen was ordered to march with
a body of troops into the vaHey of Glencoe to in-
* &i&t the puniflament which had been threatened,
but
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WILLIAM xmu MARY. 16.J
Vit Uiidelr '^tehte <rt fcdH&aSng the Wl-t*x.
Wh?n they arrived, Macdonaid a(ked Whether they
¥rere to be greeted as friends fcr enemies ; and
OampftfcH declaring that they came as friends, the
«W ffigWandtfrtc** him into his own houfe, where
he W*s tneatied frhh the ifcoft cordial hof^it&lity.
TIte ihhaibitahts in gertetel thtew afide their firft
fcfpiciohs; and folded their vifttors with repeated
tokens of fHendfhip; little fufpeaing that thefe very
itoeft weTfcfhortly to butcher them, being charged
ifrith ftrift orders to fecure all the pattes \h the
Vallyj fo thstf rione might efcape, and that no pri-
Ibnete ftotM'be made, that the ^execution might be
as terrible as poffible. The night before this fed
fctene was to be exhibited, Macdonaid and Camp-
bell, having fpent the eveniAg together at cards,
parted with reciprocal profeifions of regard. But
M^Wonalcfs two fons, obfetving that the guards
ha* beeh dtmbted, fufpe&ed fome ftcachery, * and
^Hvfctely wem forth in fearch of fuch cird«m- J
fhmces as might Corroborate their fufptcion. r They
accordingly overheard the guards proteft ** that
they Uked not the work ; they would opertiy fight
tfre Maddonalds of the Glen, but, though they
muft Comply with orders, they thought it dowartMy
and bafe to murder them in their beds." The
youths, who were now paft doubt of their danger,
ran haftity homeward to apprife their 1 father. But
h. was too late. They found his houfe furrotmd-
ed by guards j and beta* without arms they faved
their lives by flight, juft as the maffaere began.
Old Macdonaid was fliot through the head in the
rtrms of his lady, who died delirious the next
day. The laird of Auchintrincken, who was then -
vifiting that family, was prftolled without hernia-
tion, though lie had taken the oaths three months,
and carried abou$ him a protection from the go-
vernment ' y and one Drummond, a fubaltern officer,
clove* j£*
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a64 New History of SCOTLAND*
clove the fkuU of i boy not eight years old, whilft
imploring his mercy, embracing nis knees, and
offering to ierve him for life. In fine, about forty
perfons were inhumanly (acrificed, and chiefly in
their beds, but the pafles npt being properly fecured
upwards of one hundred and fifty efcaped. Before
morning, the village by Campbell's direction, was
fet on fire ; and though the orders, which had been
given to this wretch, did not extend to the death
of females and children, yet being driven out naked
into the deep (how, which then covered the ground,
many died before they could reach any habitable
place, which was at leaft fix miles diftance from the
valley.
This bloody . trajgedy fullied the character of
king William, who Icreened the a&ors of it from
public refentment $ and, in all probability, it £>wed
the feeds of thofe two rebellions which fprang up in
1715 and 174$. But Johnfton, the king's fecre-
tary, managed matters fo dexteroufly, as to prevent
them at this tipie from coming to extremity. On
the contrary, every thing in an enfuing parliament
went on very fmoothly. His majefty was voted a
fupply of above one hundred and fifty thoufand
pounds fterling 5 fix regiments were added to the
ftanding force of the kingdom, and many recruits
were raifcd for the royal navy.
The Scots now eafy, fecure, and freed
1693* from the thraldom of religious perfec-
tion, began foon to reflect on the advan-
tages of trade. All ranks of people devifed fchemes
of commerce. In particular, one Paterfon, who
had noted the oppofition which the Eaft India com-
pany in England had met with in obtaining their
charter, propofed the inftitution of a Scotch com-
pany, which fhould trade to Africa, and both the
Indies.
As
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WILLIAM and MARY. 2%
As Scotland was ftill an independent kingdom*
and as Pater fon's fcherne was plaufible, fhares in
this company were coveted with the utmoft avidity*
The parliament had granted it their fan&ion, and
eftablifhed in 1695 a national bank, which ftill
continues. Three hundred thoufand" pounds were
fubfcribed in.England, and two hundred thoufand
pounds were offered by the merchants of Hamburg,
Matters thus went on very favourable, but a fevered •
famine, which fubfifted in Scotland for two years,
hindered the adventurers from embarking for Dafi-
en, where it was propofed to fettle the factory,
till the year 1698. They then fet fail from tne
Frith of Forth on the 17th of July, and in a num-
ber of fhips, manned with twelve hundred failors
and foldiers, laden with proper kinds of merchan-
dize, together with artillery and military ftores
fleering their cburfe round the Orkney Ifles, they
took in fome proviftons at Madeira, and proceeded
dire&ly for the Ifthmus of Darien, where they took
poffefiion of an harbour near Golden Ifland, in
which it was declared, that neither Spain, nor
any other power, had any concern. But the Scots
had not been aware that many trading companies
in different kingdoms would unite to oppofe them.
The Spaniards inftantly tranfmitted a memorial to
king William, roundly maintaining that the Scots,
without a breach of the peace, , could not fix at
Darien, as it belonged to their mailer: The
French offered the afliftance of a navy to dif-
lodge the Scots, if they ffiould be fo hardy as
to fettle there : ► The Dutch declared in a
very moving addrefs to king William, that fuch
a fettlement at Darien would intirely deftroy their
trade to America and the Indies : and the Englifh,
who faw that if the Scots once got.a footing, 'they
could fmuggle fo much, and on many other ac-
counts under-fell them fo greatly, that their own
N Eaft-
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266 New History of SCOTLAND.
•Eaft-India company muft be ruined, joined ftrongly
in the univerfal murmuring.
From fo powerful an oppofition, it was eafy to
fee, that thk Darien company, as it was called,
muft be inevitably ruined. Not to particularize
every fucceeding ftep which was taken, k is fufE-
cient to fay, that the Englifh governors of Jamaica,
and the Leeward Iflands, were ftrictly forbidden to
hold the leaft intercourfe with the Scotch fettlers ;
and prbclamations were publifhed to -this effedt at
Jamaica, Barbadoes, New York, and New Eng-
land. This one ftep was fufficiently fatal. For
being thus not only debarred from all mercantile
connexions, but to the greateft degree diftrefFed
for want of food and common neceflaries; they
capitulated with the Spaniards, for leave to retire ;
and accordingly abandoning their fettlemejits in
1699, they awoke out of their golden dream in
the utmoft difmay.
When news reached Scotland that this darling
fcheme was irrecoverably marred, the kingdom was
overwhelmed with the molt poflible diftrefs. The
Scots, with that eager confidence of fuccefs, which
is natural to adventurers, had exhaufted all their
wealth and credit in the undertaking, fo that thou-
fr.nds of families were reduced nearly to a itate of
beggary. In the rage of difappointmcnt they re-
viled king William as having made ufe of dupli-
city, and called him the author of this horrrble
calamity. But in proportion as the Scots recovered
from this blow, their reafon returned, and they fooa
learned to throw the T>lame of this mifcarriage, lefs
upon king William, than upon national prejudice,
and their own indifcretion.
This year, the Jacobites in Scotland
1 700. imagined that they had good caufe for
exultation. The death of the duke of
Gloucefter, which happened on the 29th of July,
3 removed,
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WILLIAM and M A R Y. 267
removed, as they imagined, the only bar to the in-
tereft of their prince, of Wales. That faction,
therefore, grew eager, vigilant, and enterprifing.
And indeed affairs in England wore about this time
fuch a melancholy afpecl, that, if the abdicated
king would have fuffered his fon to have receded
from ftricS popery in matters of religion, it has
been thought, that a rebellion in his favour, and,
in the end, a revolution would have taken place.
King William, not infenfible how unpopular he
was, thought fit to order a parliament in Scotland,
(which met on the 28th of October) conftituting
the duke of Queenibury high commiilioner. In
this parliament the minifters and their agents ftirred
themfelves fo fuccefsfully, that the king's iniereft
gained much ground. It was declared that the
iafety and happinefs of the people of Scotland de-
pended, under God, upon the prefervation of his
majefty's government and proteftant fucceffion -, to
maintain which, they paffed an act for keeping on
foot three thoufand men* for two years, to be main-
tained by a land-tax.. King William expreffed a
due fenfe of the loyal proceedings of this parlia-
ment ; and the earl of Argyle, having concurred
with the high commiflioner in the management of
this feflion, was honoured with the title of duke.
Thefe proceedings, added to the fettlement of the
crown of Great Britain, which was made the follow-
ing year upon the princefs Sophia, clectorefs of Han-
over, rendered the death of James, which happened
at St. Germains on the 16th of September follow-
ing, as well as the proclamation of his pretended fon
in.France, as king of England, of no avail. Events,
though of fome moment, they now produced but
little combuftion. The king's fpeech to this par-
liament on the 30th day of December touching this
latter affair was received with univcrfal applaufe,
and a bill for attainting the pretender paffed both
Jioufes.-
N 2 But
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263 New History of SCOTLAND.
But a very important project, which
I7C2. William, ever fince his fucceilion to the
t , . crown* feems to have had at heart, has
not yet been difclofed. It was an union of his two
kingdoms j which having before warmly recom-
mended to the ferious confideration of his parlia-
ment, he appears this year to have endeavoured, if
poffibjc, to accomplifh. He had made great arrange-
ment for this important end, and was proceeding
with the utmoft fpirit, when death diverted his
purpofe, and called him to an union with the
blefled.
He Jeft this world on the 8th of March, in the
% 52,d year of his age, having worn his earthly crov/n
thirteen years j during which, with a character
formed of as many great and good qualities, and
fhaded by as few biemifhes as perhaps are incident
to humanity > he was doubtlefs a glorious inftrument
in the hand of Providence to refcue thefe realms
from that flavery, which popery, and its conftant
attendant, arbitrary power, were proceeding to
impofe.
N N E.
T it E king's death operated differently
1702. on the various parties which at this time
fubfilted in Scotland. The Jacobites en-
tertained fuch miftaken notions of his fucceflbr,
that to place their young matter on the throne in
her ftead, was conceived to be a matter eafily practi-
cable : the prerDyterians, who . had alfo imbibed
ideas equnlly falfe, were feized with a panic-fear ;
.but happily for the whole kingdom, the bold con-
jectures of the one were as futile, as were the dif-
iiial apprehenfions of the other.
The
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ANNE- 269
The miniftry, which cpnfifted of the duke of
Queenfbury, the earls of Marchmont, Melvil, Sea-
field, Hyndford, and Selkirk, was a knot of ftaunch
revolutionists. Immediately on the notice of king
William's deceafe, they ailembled at the Crofs
of Edinburgh, and with the' ufual folemnity pro-
claimed the princefs Anne of Denmark, who had
already taken the coronation oath in the prefence of *
twelve Scott ifh counfellors. Her firll exprefs into
Scotland, after thefe proceedings, continued the old
parliament, and confirmed the duke of Queenf-
bury in his office of high commiffioner.
But the Jacobites, eager to difturb the peace of
their country, declared, that this convention par-
liament, which had continued through king Wil-
liam's whole rei^n, was by his death diflblved, and
that, of courfe, a new one ought to be called.
The duke of Hamilton headed this oppofition,
which was joined among others, by the Marquis
of Tweedale, and the earl's Marefchall and Rothes.
So that when the parliament met on the 9th of June,
they objected to its legality, and having entered a
formal proteft againft all its proceedings, they with-
drew, and were accompanied by feventy-fix mem-
bers. Having made this feceffion, they adjourned
amidft the fhouts of an unmeaning vulgar, to a
common tavern, when they joined their applauders
in drunkennefs and riot.
The adminiftration, mean time, which frill re-
tained a great majority of members, difregarded
the fentiments of the feceders, and amidit all the
difturbance,. which they had occafioned, conducted
t^e requifite meafures for the eftablifliment cf their
own legality, dignity and power, with cool cir-
cumfpeaion and with a fteady vigor. They ex-
pelled fir Alexander Bruce for ufmg fome fevere
expreffiens againft preflbytery; and then palled the
fix a<3s which follow : For recognizing her
N 3 majefty's
270 New Histoxy of SCOTLAND.
majefty's royal authority — P'or adjourning the court
of feffion — For the legality of their prefent meet-
ing — For the fecurity of the proteflant religion, and
prefbyterian church government— For a land-tax. —
And as her majefty had earneftly recommended to
their <:onfideration, an union of the two kingdoms,
the laft a£r. enabled the queen to appoint commif-
ficners who fhould meet for that puipofe.
All thefe acts were naturally difagreeable to the
fcccders, and thev refolved to fend a remonftrance
to the queen, which they accordingly drew up,
but the lord JBlantyre their agent was refufed an
audience ; and in Scotland the dean and faculty^ of
;alvocatcs were profecuted, by the lord advocate,
for having, by a vote amongft themfelves approved
of the feceiHon. 7 h e feceders were thus gradu-
;JIy falling into contempt, when the queen nomi-
nated twenty-three Fnglifh, and twenty Scotch of
the firtt rank and fortune in both kingdoms, as
commiffioners to treat on aa union, and they met
£t the Ccckpit near Whitehall, on the Z2d day of
Oaohcr.
On the twentieth of the riext month, they pro-
ceeded to adjuft preliminaries j which imported
" That nothing agreed on among them felves fhould
he binding, except ratified by her majefty and
the refpective parliaments of both nations; and
that unlefs all the heads propofed for the treaty were
agreed to, no particular thing agreed on fhould be
binding."
Thcfirft propofal given in by the duke of Queen-
bury, and which was the bafis of all the fucceed-
ing negotiations, was, " That both nations fhould
be united in one monarchy, and one parliament,
with a mutual communication of trade and pri-
vileges.' '
This propofal was amended by the lord keeper of
the great feal of England, who moved " That
the
AN N E, 271
the two kingdoms feould be infeparably united iitto
one monarchy, under her majeftyj and her heirs
and fucceflbrs, and under the fame limitations: ac-
cording to thea&s of fettlement."
The queen, to quicken their councils, paid a,
vifit to the commiffioners on the 14th of Decem-
ber. But whilft matters* were accelerating with,
mutual harmony, an unlucky mention of the Darien i
company gave birth to fuch difpu tes, as put an: end
to all farther proceedings of this commiifion. - ,
On this unhappy difagreement, the, ':
queen, piqued by the fuppofition that fee 1703;* r
had been impofed upon, changed the >
Scottife miniitry. Having fet afide the earfe of.
Marchmont, Melvil, Leven, and Hyndford, fee '
appointed the earl of Seafield, who is faid to havei
been the ofier of the times, lord chancellor. .The>
4uke of Queenfeury, and. the lord vifcount Tarbat
were declared fecretaries of ftate. The marquis of
Annandale was made prefident of the council j and:
the earl of Tullibardine, afterwards duke of Athol,
was conftituted lord privy feal. The admiraftration .
being thus regulated, it was found necefiary to af->
femble a parliament.
It opened on the 6th of May ; and the duke of:
Queenfeury, who ftill maintained his poftoflrigh'
commiffioner, a&ed fo artfully in conkin&ion witht
the new miniftry, that even the Jacobites in gene-
ral found it needlefs to oppofe his meafures, but*
joined therevolutionifts in voting for a fupply. Put-,
fuant to an act of indemnity which her majefty hadi
iiTued, previous to the meeting of this parliament,
many difaffefted members returned home* and a!
coalition, at leaft in appearance, took place for,
fbme time, between both parties. -<.
In confequence of this unanimity* two bills*
of the greateft importance were carried againft the
court. The.fjxft imported " That after, th« queen's,
N 4 deeeafe,
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272 New History of SCOTLAND.
deceafe, ^skjto** b^* rs of her body, no perfon, at
the fame time jcing or queen of Scotland and Eng-
land,, fhould have the foJe power of making war
with any prince, ftate, or potentate, whatfoever,
wkhaujt cpnlentof parliament." The fecond was
intended to circumfcribe the prerogative : it was
called an Aft of Security^ which occafioned much
altercation in parliament, and fuch difturbance in
the city, that the guards were kept in readineis to
fupprefs any infurre&ion which might enfue, and
to protect the high commiflioner, who had refufed
the royal affent. In the courfe of thefe proceedings,
the earl of Marchmont alfo incurred a temporary
odium, for propofing, before the necefiary condir-
tions and limitations had been debated, to fettle
the iucceffion to the crown, on the houfe of Ha-
jaover.
During thefe commotions in parliament, Mr,.
Fletcher of Salton, greatly diftinguifhed himfelf.
Moft part of this extraordinary man's life had been
fpent in Holland with the earl of Argyle, and the
Juke of Monmouth. Kis principles were. thoroughly
republican ; and he pofiefled confum mate abilities,
undaunted courage, and inflexible integrity. He.
planned both the late afis, and having obferved that
the nation muft be enflaved fhould it either willing-
ly, or by commiflian, fubmit ta jtfce, fucceffor of
England, without fuch ftipulations as lhould fe-
cure their independency, he boldly declared, that
for his own part, he would rather join in the no-
mination of fome bigotted papift, under thofe con-
ditions, than of the trueft proteftant, if they muft
be difpenfed with. But Fletcher, (who in the
courfe of this feffion, propofed many patriotic bills)
was told by the lord chancellor, with great truth
and franknefs, that his fchemes were adapted to a
commonwealth, and were inconfiftent, and there-
fore ufelefs, under a monarchy. In fhort, the
com-
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ANNE. 273
commiflioner, who had hampered himfelf by his
over politic compliance with the Jacobites, not
knowing rightly how to a& at this delicate junc-
ture, prorogued the parliament to the 12th of Oc-
tober, without having made any proviiion for the
arrears of the army, or the expences of govern-
ment, and before a freih commiflion was appointed
to treat of the union.
The queen mean time diftributed a profufion of
honours. The marquis of Athol, and the marquis
of Douglas, though a minor, were created dukes ;
lord Tarbat was inverted with the title of earl of
Cromarty; the vifcounts of Stair and Rofeberry
were promoted to the fame dignity. Lord Boyle
was created earl of Glafgow; James Stuart of Bute
earl of Bute ; Charles Hope of Hoptoun, earl of
Hoptoun ; John Crawford of Kilbirnie, vifcount
Garnock, and James Primrofe of Carrington, vif-
count Primrofe. At this time the queen's beha-
viour was rather equivocal, for whilft in England
flie feemed greatly to befriend the union, flie in
Scotland conferred the higheft honours on fuch as
oppofed it. To extend the field of honour, fhe re-
vived the Order of the Thijlle^ changed the colour
of the ribband into green, and dubbed the duke of
Athol one of its knights, though that nobleman
wiflied to diftinguifh himfelf as the leader of the
Jacobites.
At this vacation of public bufinefs, an
odd kind of plot was difcovered to have 1704.
been conduced by Simon Frafer, the
fame man, who, when lord Lovat fuffered on
Tower-hill at London, for having a chief hand in
the rebellion of 1745. Frafer had neither fortune
nor principle, having been outlawed for ravifhing
a filler of the marquis of Athol. Thus abandoned,
he repaired to the court of St. Germains, where he
iniinuated that if the French king would furniflx
N 5 * aim,
Digitized by GoOgle
274 New History of SCOTLAND.
him with officers, ammunition, and money, he
could raife fuch a body of troops in favour of the
pretender, as might be Efficient to place him on the
throne of Great-Britain. Lewis feemed to promife
him his afliflance ; but Frafer's character was fo
infamous, that though he was fent back into Scot-
land, to ufe his intereft amongft the clans two per-
sons were fent along; with him to judge of his con-
nexions with the Jacobite nobility, and to report
back to France how far he was to be depended on.
Frafer, mean while, difclofed the affair to the
duke of Queenfbury; and as be pretended that
what he had done was merely to found the French
king for the fecurity of queen Anne's government,
the duke encouraged him in holding a correfpon-
dence with the Jacobites. On the other hand,
when he returned into France, he changed his ftory,
and defired leave of Lewis the XIV th to niain-
tain a connexion with the Scotch proteftants for
the fervice of the pretender. But the French king
had received fuch accounts from his agents, as led
him to conclude, with great juft ice, that Frafer was
the fpy of both parties, and was endeavouring to
recover his fhattered fortunes by declaring himfelf
to be by turns a friend to each, at the fame time
that in reality he was well affe&ed to neither. Lew-
is, in confequence of this opinion, put an effec-
tual flop to his intrigues, by clapping him into the
Baftile j where he remained feveral years.
On this, the affair was blown in Scotland ; and
the duke of Queenfbury, though he had difclofed
the motives of his condu&, which were in general
fatisfactory, was thought, by having given fo much
countenance to that abandoned outlaw, to have
been the pretender's friend. He therefore loft his
poft of high cornmifHoner, which was conferred on
the marquis of Tweedale. Thofe of inferior of-
fice, who were thought too much attached to the
duke.
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A ;N N E. / . . 27J
duke, were alfo turned out ; but. Mr. Johufton wa s
made lord-regifter, and the earj of Cromarty fol^.
fecretary of ftate.
♦ The Parliament, which had^ been further proro-
gued, opened on the 6th of July, and 'proceeded,
in the firft place, to fettle the fucceflion. The earl
of Marchmont propofed an a£t for excluding. any
popifh fucceflbr; but this motion, though highly
conftitutional, was objected to, and violent heats
between the court and, the country party fucceeded.
At laft an expedient was offered by fir James/Fal-
coner of Phefdo, which, when put tp the vote r
met with a general aflent. In confequence thereof
it j was refolved" that the parliament would not
proceed to nominate a fucceflbr, until a previous
treaty with England, refpecling commerce and
other matters, mould be difcuued j and that it
would make the neceflary limitations and conditions,
of government, before the fucceffor (hduld be no T
niinated." A fupply was however granted; and
they confirmed the act of fecurity, which provided
** That in cafe the queen ihould die without iflue,
a parliament mould immediately meet and declare
the fucceflbr to the crown, different from the per-
fon poffefling the throne of England, unlefs before,
that period a fettlement mould be made in parlia-
ment, of the rights and liberties of the nation in-
dependent on Engliflh councils/' . And they were
impowered by a claufe in it, to arm the iubje&&
and put them into difcipline for the defence of thp
kingdom.
The whole vote, but efpecially this claitfe in it>
which the Englifh interpreted to be a prelude of
hoftilities, was fo refen ted by their parliament, that,
on the nth of January following a grand com-
mittee, which was appointed to connder of the
ftate of the nation with regard to Scotland, came
to the following refolutions far a bill, which w.as
ftrongly
Digitized by GoOgle
?7*> New History, of SCOTXAfrD*
ftrcngly surged to be paffed for the Security ;of the
kingdom of JEngland. .
" ift, That it be one head of the bill, :to ena-
ble her majefty to nominate and appoint coromif-
fioners for ^England, to treat with commiffioners
from Scotland for an union between the two king-
dons.
" 2d, That all natives of the kingdom of Scot-
land, except fuch as are fettled, and fhall continue
inhabitants of England^ or of the dominions there-
unto belonging, or at prefent in the fervice of the
army or navy, (hall be reputed as aliens, unlef&the
fucceffion to the crown of Scotland be . fettled on
the princefs Sophia of Hanover, and the heirs of
her body, being proteftants,
" 3d, That a more eiFedual provifion be made
to prevent the exportation of wool from England
and Ireland into Scotland.
" 4th, That a provifion be made to prevent the
importation of Scotch linen into England or Ire-
land, and to permit the exportation of the linen
manufa&ures of Ireland in Englifh bottoms into her
m^jefty's plantations in the Weft-Indies.
" 5th, That immediate povifion be made to pre-
vent the conveying of horfes, arms, and ammuni-
tion, from England into Scotland.
" 6th, That all proteftant freeholders of the
fix northern counties of England be permitted to
furnifli themfelves with, arms."
By tftis draught it appears that the Englifh took
up the indecifion of the Scotch parliament with a
very high hand, and were determined to fliut up
all connections of commerce, unlefs the long defired
union could be effe&ed. In the mean while, the
marquis of Tweedale was laid afide, and the duke
ef Argyle, .a moft promifing young nobleman,- was
appointed
3
Digitized by G00gle
A ;N K £. 277,
Appointed high comroifltoner jn bis room. On
*fcis, Xweedafe joined his friends, who hajl been
removed along with him, and, formed a party under
the name of me ¥ lying Squadron.
This party, though it owed its rife
to Tweedale's difmiffion, was defirpus, 1705*
as is commonly the cafe with difapppint-
cd courtiers, to diftinguifli itfelf as a knot of in-*
dependent patriots. And as not one of the members
was a Jacobite, they fupported the appearance w*th
fome propriety, ana though it.was not their inten-
tion greatly (facilitated the .union, For as they
joined the Jacobites, who violently oppofed it, tie
conftderate and. unprejudiced part of the kingdom
concluded, that: an union muft be effe&ed to fave
the honour x>f the nation, and from a war, and very
Jikely in that cafe, pn introduction of the pre*
render. ' The neceffity of iart union therefore ap-
peared daily more, apparent. It was wifely thought
to he a chimerical and impracticable fcheme for one
ibvereign ta govern two fepaiate, independent na*
*k>ns, ^differing as -much from each other in laws
and interefts, as in genius and purfuits; unlefs
itanding armies, like thofe of Charles tbe 2d and
his brother, were always maintained to enforce the
due obfervance of the fovereign's commands.
They had fuffered .too much . from t fuch. military
government not to dread its revival. The parlia-
, ment therefore proceeded in good* earnsft to fettle
this defirable treaty. It met in autumn; and the
duke of Hamilton propofed that the aft for the
, union Should have a claufe importing " That It
ihould no ways derogate from any fundamental
-laws, ancient privileges, offices, rights, liberties,
;and dignities of the Scottifh nations/' But this
.motion was over-ruled. At length, after much ai-
1 tercation,. and violent oppofition from the republican
. genius of Fietcher, the. ad for the treaty of union
was
Digitized by GoOgle
278 New History of SCOTLAND.
was compleated ; and to the amazement of the Ja-
cobites, the duke of Hamilton himfelf moved, and
being put to the vote, it was carried in the affirma-
tive, that the queen mould again appoint cdmmif-
fioners. This weighty point -being finifhed, a fup-
ply of^ fifty thoufand pounds fterling was *v6ted,
and then the parliament adjourned to the- 20th day-
of December. *
The queen was no fooner 'apprifed of
1706. the refolvesof the Scotch parliament than
fhe removed the marquis of Anriandale
from his office of fecretary of ftate y to jhat of lord
prefident of the council, and fupplied his place by
the earl of Mar. She then immediately appointed
the following perfons to be commiffioners : hor
England, Thomas lord archbifhop of Canterbury}
William Cowper, lord keeper of the great feal ;
John lord archbifhop of York ; Sidney, lord Go^
dolphin, lord high treafurer of England^ .Thomas^
carl of Pembroke, and Montgomery j prfefident of
the council ; John duke of Newcaftle, keeper of the
privy feal, William duke of Devonshire, fteward
of the houfhold j • Charles duke of Somerfet, mafter
of the horfe ; Charles duke of Bolton ; Charles earl
of Sunderland 5 Evelyn earl of Kingfton ; Charles
earl of Carlifle; Edward earl of Oxford ; Charles
vifcount Townfend ; Thomas lord Wharton ;
Ralph lord Grey 5 John lord Powlet; John lord
Somers; Charles lord Halifax ; William Caven-
-difh marquis of Harrington ; John Manners marquis
of Granby ; fir Charles Hedges* and Robert Har-
ley principal fecretaries of ftate ; John Smith ;
Henry Boyle, chancellor of the exchequer ; fir John
Holt, chief juftice of the queen's bench ; fir Tho-
«nas Trevor, chief juftice of the common pleas ;
fir Edward Northey, attorney general; fir Simon
Harcourt, folicitor general ; fir John Cook ; and
Stephen Waller, doctor of laws. For Scotland,
James,
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A N N E. 279
James earl of Seafield, lord chancellor ; James duke
of Queenfbury, lord privy feal ; John earl of Mar r
and Hugh earl of Loudon, principal fecretaries of
itate; John earl of Sutherland ; John earl of Mor-
ton ; David earl of Wemys ; David earl of Leven ;
John earl of Stair ; Archibald earl of Rofeberry ;
David earl of Glafgow \ lord Archibald Campbell ;
Thomas vifcount Duplin ; lord William Rofs ; fir
Hugh Dalrymple, prefident of the feflion - 9 Adam
Cockburn of Ormiften, lord juftice clerk ; fir Ro-
bert Dundas of Armiftoun; 'Robert Stewart of
Tillicultrie, lords of the feflion ; Mr. Francis
Montgomery, one of the commiflioners of the trea-
fury ; fir David Dalrymple, one of her majefty's
folicitors •> fir Alexander Ogilvy, receiver general ;
fir Patrick Johntton, provoft of Edinburgh 5 fir*
James Smollett of Bonhill ; George Lockhart of
Carnwath, William Morrifon of rrefton-Grange^
Alexander Grant, William Seton of Pitmidden,
John Clark of Pennycook, Hugh Montgomery;
Daniel Stewart, and Daniel Campbell.
The Cockpit was again fettled to be the place of
meeting, and they afTembled there on the 16th day
of April. Preliminaries were adjufted in much the
fame manner as they had been on the fame occafion
four years before ; for it was agreed " That all
propofals mould be made in writing, and every
point when agreed, reduced to writing: that n*
points fhould be obligatory, till all matters mould
be adjufted in fuch a manner as would be proper
to be laid before the queen, and the two parlia-
ments for their approbation : that a committee mould
be appointed from each commiflion, to revife the
minutes of what might pafs, before they mould be
inferted in the books by the respective fecretaries j
and that all the proceedings during the treaty mould
be kept fecret." The lord keeper of England, wha
was the principal of this- great affair, then propofed
" That
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2 8o New History of SCOTLAND.
<c That the- kingdoms of Scotland and England be
forever united into one kingdom, by the name of
Great-Britain \ that the united kingdom of Great-
Britain be reprefented by one and the fame-parlia-
ment j that the fucceffion to the monarchy of the
kingdom of Great-Britain, in cafe of failure of heirs
of her majeftv's body, fhall defcend upon the moft
excellent princefs Sophia, eleclorefs, and duchefs-
dowager 6r Hanover, and remain to ,her and the
heirs of her body, being proteftants, with this pro-
vifion, " That all the fubie&s of the united king-
dom of Great-Britain fhall have full freedom and
iritercourfe of trade and navigation, to and from
any part or place within' the united kingdom, and
plantations thereunto belonging ; and that there be
a communication of all other privileges and ad-
vantages, which do, or may, belong to the fubje&s
of either kingdom."
This was agreed to ^y the Scotch commiilioners :
a federal and not an incorporated pnion was the aim
of every one of them, except the. duke of Queenf-
bury, when they firft aflembled. But the Englifh
Qpmmiffioners declaring themfelves fo fully con-
vinced that nothing but an intire union would fet-
tle a perfect and lafting friendfhip between the % two
kingdoms \ that the other Scotch commiflioners
concurred with the duke of Queenfbury, for the
good of their country.
Both parties then went on hand in hand ; the
queen paid them two vifits j and they proceeded
with fuch diligen€e, that by the 2 2d of July, the
articles of this famous treaty were finifhed, in-
grofled, and executed, by every commiffioner, ex-
cept Lockhart of Carnwath, who could never be
prevailed on to fign or feal it. The day following,
the lord keeper, in the name of the Englifh, pre-
fented the important inftrament to her majefty, at
the palace of St. James's -, a fealed duplicate was
alfo
d by Google
A N N E. z8t
alio delivered by the lord chancellor of Scotland $
the queen received them with the higheft fatisfac-
tion, and njade a gracious reply to a fhort fpeech
which each commiffioner made on the occaiion.
The twenty-five articles which compofed the
treaty, were in fiibftance as follow: " The firft
ajid iecond, united for ever the two nations into one
kingdom by the name of Great- Britain, which, by
the third article, was declared reprefentable by one
and the fame parliament. The fourth, eftablifbed
an equality of trade in every part of the \yorld ex-
cept where fpecified to the contrary. The fifth, re-
lated to the {hipping of both nations, which were
Jikewife declared equal under the name of fhips of
Great-Britain. Tjie fixth, gave in every part of
the united kingdom the allowances, encouragements*
and drawbacks, fubjeft to the fame prohibitions*
reftri&ionsg and regulations, of trade, and to the cuf-
cms and duties on imports and exports. The feventh>
concerned the excHe on liquors, which was rated thc>
fame throughout all parts of the united kingdom*
except that the thirty-four gallons Englifli barret
of beer or ale, amounting to twelve gallon^ Scotch
prefcnt meafure, fold in Scotland by the brewer,
at nine Shillings and fix-pence fterling, excluding
all duties, and retailed, including duties and the
retailers profit, at two pence the Scotch .pint, or
eighth part of the Scotch gallon, be not liable on
account of the prefent 4 excife upon excifeable li-
quors in England, to any higher impofitJon than
two ihillings fterling upon the aforefaid thirty-four
gallons Englifla barrel, being twelve gallons of the
prefent Scotch meafure. Tne eighth article regu-
lated the fifheries and the duties upon fait. The
ninth, is too material not to fubjoin at large : it <te->
clares, " That whenever the Turn of one million*
nine hundred and ninety-feven thoufand, feven
hundred and fixty-three pounds, eight ihillings and
(qui-
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282 New History of SCOTLAND.
four-pence half-penny, (hall be enacted by the par-
liament of Great-Britain, to be raifed in that part
of the united kingdom called England, on land
and other things, ufually charged in acta, of par-
liament there, for granting an aid to the crown by
a land-tax ; that part of the united kingdom, now
called Scotland, /hall be charged by the fame ad
with the further fum of forty-eight thoufand pounds,
free of all charges, as the quota of Scotland to fuch
tax, and fo proportionably for any greater or Jeffer
fum raifed in England, by any- tax on land or other
things ufually charged together with the land. And
that fuch quota for Scotland, in cafes aforefaid, be
raifed and collected in the fame manner as the cefs
now is in Scotland, but fubject £p fuch regulations
in the manner of collecting as fhall be made by the
parliament of Great-Britain." The four fucceed-
ing articles exempt the Scots from payment of fe-
veral duties on paper, vellum, parchment, coals,
culm, and malt. The fourteenth and fifteenth,
granted to th* Scots the fum of three hundred
ninety-eight thoufand and eighty-five pounds, ten
Shillings, as an equivalent for fuch parts of the
cuftoms and excife charged upon that kingdom in
confequence of the union, as muft in fome meafure
contribute to pay the debts of England, in the fame
proportion as the cuftoms and excife of that coun-
try bore with thofe of Scotland. The fixteenth
article erected a mint in Scotland, fubject to the
parliament of Great-Britain, and fixed the fame
ftandard and weight of the coin as in England.
The feventeenth, in like manner affected weights
and meafures. The eighteenth eftabliihed the fame
uniformity in*the regulation of trade and its confe-
quences, without meddling with the old laws of
Scotland reflecting private property. The nine-
teenth perpetuated the authority of the court of
feffioirand jufiiciary in Scotland, together with the
court
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' A N, N E. i8j
court of admiralty and other inferior officers, under
the regulations of a Britifh parliament. The
twentieth continued all heritable officers, fuperiori-
ties, heritable jurifdi&ions, offices for life, and ju-
rifdidlions for life, to their refpe£ive owners as
rights of property, agreeably to the ancient laws of
Scotland, but this article has fince been fet afidc
The twenty-firft concerned the rights and pri-
vileges of the royal boroughs in Scotland ; which
has undergone fome alteration. The twenty-fecond
founded the conftitution of the fixteen peers, and
forty-five commoners from Scotland to fit as at
prefent in the Britifh parliament. The twenty-
third allowed the peers all the privileges of Englifh
peers j that they fhould have rank and precedency'
next and immediately after the Englifh peers of the
like orders and degrees at the time of the union,
and before all peers of Great-Britain of the like or-
ders and degrees, who might be created after the
union. The twenty-fourth kept the Scotch rega-
lia in that kingdom, and regulated the quarteringsr
of the Scotch and Englifh arms, and other armorial
bearings, for the feal of Great-Britain, &c. And.
by the laft article it was provided " That all laws
and ftatutes in either kingdom, fo far as they are
contrary to, or confiftent with, the terms of thoTe
articles, or any of them, fhall, from and after the
union, ceafe, and become void, and fhall be fo de-
clared to be by the respective parliaments of the
laid kingdoms "
Such is the fubftance of that treaty, which had
the public faith alone for its guarantee, and that de-
ftroyed the independency of each kingdom upon
the other ; but opened a channel through which a
greater tide of fplendor, power, and opulence has
flowed into Great Britain, than the difunited
natives of England and Scotland could have ever
beheld,
But
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384 New History of SCOTLAND.
But notwithftanding thefe unanimous proceed*
ings at London, the bulk of the Scottifh nation
Vjas highly averfe to the union, which, till ratified
by that parliament, was ftill incomplete. From
the fpirit of this people, it \yas expected to meet
with great oppofition. The adverfe party in Scot-
land, was indeed more numerous than the Englifli
had conceded.
At the meeting of parliament in that kingdom,
the duke of Queenfbury a&ed as high commiffioner ;
and on the 3d day of O&ober he produced a letter
from the queen, in which fhe hoped that the terms
«*f the treaty, which he then read, would prove
acceptable. Thefe terms had till then been in-
duflxioufly kept fecret ; but when being recited in
parliament, they became known to the whole na-
tion, fuch a flame kindled as it was imagined, no
spt or induftry could poffibly extinguish. But
though it oftener happens, that the moft plaufible
theories are incapable of pratSttce, than that, thole
Schemes which theory deems impracticable, fhould
(ucceed in the experiment; yet the queen's loyal
and active minifters produced at this important
crifis, an happy inftance of the latter. For though
the duke of Hamilton was fuch a weather-cock in
politics, that he now violently oppofed what he had
tmt juft before fo warmly ^promoted j— though his
prefent ayerfion to the union, was fupported by the
ior<ji JB^elhaven, Mr. Fletcher, and others, from
miftaken notions of patriotifmj — and by all the
Jacobites — and by the prelbyterian clergy, becaufe
no fettlement had been made for the iecurity and
eftablifliment of their religion ; though the po-
pulace raged tumultoufly in the cities of Edinburgh
apd Glafgow, and burped the articles of the union
at the Market-crofs of Dumfries ; yet amidft all
the fury of this national antipathy, the dukes of
Queenlbury and Argyle, the earls of Montrofe, Sea-
; r field
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ANNE. 285
field and Stair, and thofe other truly patriotic no*-
blemen, whoefpoufed the union, iilenced the po-
pular clamour in fo great a meafure, as at laft to ef-
fect a folemn ratification of the treaty on January
the 16th 1707, and which received the royal aflent
on March the 6th, following, by touching it with
the fcepter, conformably to the old cuftom that
ftill fubfifts of pafling all other a&s. To effect
this, the above lords reafoned publickly in parlia-
ment, and foothed the populace without, with the
moft flattering expectations. v By promoting the in-
fertion of an act in the treaty, which fettled unal-
terably the prelbyterian church government as the
eftabliihed form of religion in Scotland, they cooled
the refentment of the clergy ; who, notwithftand-
ing the toleration granted by her majefty, foon af-
terwards to epifcopacy, have fince, even amidft the
terrors of rebellions, preferved equally inviolate
their faith and their loyalty. And thus, with the
timely diftribution of twenty thoufand pounds, the
coitfmiffioner having accomplifhed the great pur-
pofe of the court, adjourned the parliament on the
25th day of March, and fet out for London*
Forty noblemen with their equipage, and upwards
of four hundred gentlemen on horfeback, met him
as he approached the capital. Next day amidft frefh
Ihouts of the people, he Waited on the queen at
Kenfington, where he received from his royal
miftrefs that gracious reception which his fleacty,
wife* and upright conduct had moit jufHy merited,
UNION.
THE union having been perfectly com-
pleated by the concurrent ratification of 1707.
the Englifh parliament, Scotland ceafed
to be an independent kingdom. At this period
there-
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286 New History of SCOTLAND,
therefore, the hiftory of that nation {hould necef-
farily clofe ; but as North Britain has fince teem-
ed with fome great events, it is prcfumed that a
fummary of the moft important tranfa£tions relative
to that part of our ifland down to the prefent time,
may be confidered as no improper or difegreeable
conclufion to the whole.
Immediately after the intire completion of the
union, the duke of Queenfbury was appointed fe-
cretary of ftate for that part of Great Britain called
Scotland j an exchequer was eftablifhed there in
1708 > and in the year following, fome articles of
the treaty underwent a few material alterations.
The eldeft ions of Scotch peers, particularly, were
difqualified from being chofen in parliament for
any part of Scotland ; as was alfo a Scotch peer,
if he was made a peer of Great Britain, from vo-
ting for the fixteen peers* who at every new parlia-
ment are elected to reprefent Scotland in the Bri-
tifti houfe of Lords. During the remaining years
of queen Anne's reign, little tranfpired worthy
notice, heiides the famous duel which was fought
in Hyde-Park, on the 15th of November 1712,
between the duke of Hamilton and lord- Mohun,
who were reckoned two of the beft fwordfmen in
Europe. After the moft obftinate combate, which
owed its rife to a party-difpute, »the latter was killed
on the fpot, and the former expired the next day
of his wounds.
GEORGE.
O N the iftof Auguft 1714, her majefty dying,
the crown devolved, without oppofition, on the
illuftriouii houfe of Hanover. The princefs Sophia,
on whom the crown* had been fettled, being dead,
her fon and heir, the elector of Hanover, was pro-
claimed king of Great Britain, &c. with the cuito-
mary
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GEO R G E. 287
mary ceremonies and folemnity. The Jacobites
in Scotland thought the prefent a fit occafion to
promote a rebellion, in favour of .the Pretender.
That ill-fated man, had aflumed on his father's
death, the title of the Chevalier de St. George^ un-
der which he lived in foreign courts with Tome de-
gree of reputation.
The fame earl of Mar, who had been the late
queen's fecretary for Scotland, and who notwith-
ftanding his profeifions of loyalty* to king George,
expreffed both by letter and oaths, was now the
father of the party, which openly efpoufed the pre-
tender's caufe. In a very fliort time, he colle&ed to-
gether 8000 men,fet up the pretender's ftandard.Sep-
tember the 6th 17 15, and fixing his head quarters
at Perth, he proclaimed the pretender, and main-
tained a correfpondence with Mr. Forfter, knight
of the fhire for Northumberland, and alfo with
vifcount Kenmure, the earls of Carnwath, Win-
toun, Nithifdale, Derwentwater, the lord Wid-
drington, and others of the nobility in the weft of
Scotland/ who were inclined to Jacobitifm. But
though this rebellion had at firft a molt formida-
ble/appearance, the king's troops under the gene-
rals Carpenter and Wills, and the duke of Argyle,
defeated on the very fame day, Sunday November
the 3d, Forfter with the Englifli rebels, and the
: earl of Mar and his adherents, the former at Prefton,
and the latter at Sheriff Muir. The earls of Der-
wentwater and the vifcount Kenmure being the
principal men taken prifoners, were carried igno-
minioufly to London, where they foon fuffered de-
capitation as traitors. The earls of Wintoun and
. Nithifdale were alfo taken, but made the-ir efcape.
Mar having loft his authority amongft his troops,
they grew mutinous and retired by parties to their
native Highlands*
Thcfe
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288 New History of SCOTLAND.
Thefe were the tranfa&ions of the memorable
year 1715, at the clofe of which, the pretender
hfmfeli landed from a Dunkirk privateer in-cog.
at Peterhead. Caufing himfelf to be proclaimed
wherefoever he went, he arrived at Scone on the
7th of January following, where he gave out that
he intended to be crowned. But his followers,
wh6 were divided amongft themfelves, and in gene-
ral difheartened, receiving intelligence that the duke
of Argyle was in full march againft them, at the
head of a confiderable body of troops* they perfuaded
him rather to retreat ; and he followed their ad-
vice fo literally, that flying with the utmoft hafte
toMontrofe, he threw himfelf with the earls of
Mar and of Melfort, and other chiefe, into a fmall
vefiel, and February the 14th fet fail for France.
/This ill-concerted rebellion, like the South- S /a
Bubble, which evaporated four years afterward,
proved the ruin of many confiderable families in
Scotland.
In 1717, Spain threatened Great Britain with
another invafion, in favour of the pretender, under
the command of the duke of Ormond, who had
been impeached and attainted of high treafon, for
the part he had acl:ed in connection with the in-
famous miniftry of queen Anne's laft years. The
Spanifh fleet were difperfed by violent ftorms, and
only the earls of Seaforth and Marefchal and the
marquis of Tullibardine, with about 400 men,
landed at Kintair in Scotland ; about 1600 High-
landers foon joined them, but major general
Wightman as foon drove them from their fortrefies,
made the Spaniards prifoners, and forced the lord
to make the bell of their way to the iflands, from
w hence they tranfported themfelves back to Spain.
Though the Scots £0 not appear to have had
n uch hand in the fchemes which were formed in
Lvour of the pretender, in 1722, for which the
bifhop
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GEORGE. 289
bifhop of Rochefter (Atterbury) was condemned to
exile, yet the king in 1725, paffed an a& for dis-
arming the Highlanders, and for building bridge*,
and opening roa^s, by which their country might
"be rendered more eafybf accefc. And to the death
of this firm magnanimous prince, which happened
4n 1727, he kept a (hid eye Qv«r this part of his
♦dominions.
GEORGE II
NEAR ten years in this reign paffed on,
' 7 /• without being produ&ive of any very parti*
cular event. Sir Robert Walpole fo managed af-
fairs, that the Scotch burgeffes generally voted with
the court ; and fuch of them as /or a time acted a >
contrary part, gained fo little credit by it, that* they
were fuppofed to a£, not thro* independency of {pi-
rit, and forthe public weal, but from views of felf-
intereft or Jacobitifm. But whilft his majefty was at
Hanover in 1736, there happened in Edinburgh the
following alarming circumftance : A captain of that
city-guard, one Porteous^ too wantonly ordered his
men to fire upon the people, for expreffing little
more than a generous fympathy at the fate of a
■fmuggler, whom he Was efcorting to an ignomi-
nious death. Many perfons were Killed. Arid as
this crime was doubly atrocious, being, befides the
fhedding much innocent blood, a direct innovation
upon civil liberty, Porteous was inftantly appre-
hended, brought fairly to trial and juftly condemned,
as guilty of wilful murder. The queen regent,
however, fent him down a pardon, of which the
populace being apprifed, a body of men forced an
entrance into the prifon where he lay, hauled him
O forth,
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290 New History of SCOTLAND.
fprth, led htm in triumph to the place of execu-
tion, and hanged him to a fign-poff. The queen
was exafperated at this contempt of her authority.
The ftate-minifter accordingly took up the af-
front ; and becauft; Alexander Wilfon, thcprovoft
of the city, had not proceeded vigoroufly againft
*ihe rioters, for apprehending whom large rewards
were then offered, he brought a bill into parliament,
which would have not only imprifoned the pro-
voft, and rendered him incapable of holding any
place in the united kingdoms, but have abolifhed
the town-rguard, and demolished the jjates of the
city. The bill, without much oppofition, was car-
ried through the houfe of lords, but it was exa-
mined with the moft impartial fcrutiny by the com-
mons, where every Scotch member voting again ft
it, they threw it out. But Sir Robert was never-
theless determined it fhould pafsj when therefore,
it ifcas returned to the houfe of lords, they indeed
carried it through, but foftened it, to4he difabling
of Wilfon from holding any office of magiftracy in.
Edinburgh ox<elfewhere in Great Britain, and lay-
ing a fine of 2000/. on the city.
From this time, notwithftanding the Scotch
members of parliament were aknoit conttantly fub-
fervient to Sir Robert Walpole, the Scots in gene-
ral, ran counter to this adminiftration* Nor indeed,
did affairs in North Britain take a much different
turn, when that minifter was difplaced, and took
his feat in the upper houfe as earl of Orford in
2743. Trade, all this while found in that quar-
ter no encouragement. And though, as the Scots-
had not yet divefted themselves thoroughly of their
feudal principles, the iarmy opened fcenes pf em-
ployment fbmewhaf agreeably (with their difpofi-
tton, yet every .'man could not- be an officer. The
heads of clans therefore, who iHU were permitted
to live, upoi\ and govern their eftates, not having
fuch
d by Google
G E O R. G E c H. ^ ^r
fucbiSmploys as &aited toft .with iM>eir;imc^natiw»
3& borae* ^maintained illicit cor^pomleBiqea^brpa^-r
» iTWjj frmktf <*£ i<hcfe r idangemuii intrigues gte^t
ripe k^i^45.>: JFhe ! pt etendec's fern, being ^vtjijed
6ver by. tKc difiat^tied and Jefperate cJw>, aj&4
Spurred oft by Franoej wJwh bad Baajde the wW?
feteart t race its tools, a&d dttpes, , embarked , a$
pp#f St, Latere, and after great hazaBdcftteq^th^yigi^
bwee oftthe^EngWh, he landed on tb^.co^ft^f
Wehahafc' w»ith th£ marquis of TaUiba^4ig e >'t£ c
iFHeiteafr $hef rijlan, and many other Scotch afid
Jriih^advenMirersin his train. As he naarcbed oa,
big followers daily inereafed, and fuch uncertain
intelligence had the Engl ifh of this rebellion) that
they did not even believe him to he landed* till
be had di farmed two cow panics of. fbldiers iu.the
neighbourhood of Fort William. Then* great was
the confternation of all ranks of people in Eng-
land ; which increafed much, when it was JgnowfL
that the duke of Perth r viscount StrathaUaa^ lord
Nairn, lord Gtorge Murray, Cameron of JLochieJ,
with many other men of note, had repaired to his
ftandard* i
His march was rapid: be was proclaimed at
Perth, Dundee, Edinburgh, . and other places ;
but only in quality of regent, all a£b paflLng in
the name of his father. Notwithstanding all
this (hew, it is a certain fad, that when fir John
Cope, commander in chief of his majefty's for*
ces in that quarter, marched againft him with
three thoufand regular troops and a good train of
artillery, the pretender's army fcarcely exceeded
that number of men, all frefh recruits, and poorly,
accoutred. The pretender no fboner heard of
Cope's arrival, than he advanced to fight him. Tha
general, who had k now been joined by two regi-
Hijh-
ments of dragoons, and fome well-affecfced High
of Scf
tember,
landers, met and engaged him on the suft of Sep-
d by Google
3t$2 New History of SCOTLAND.
tember, near Prefton*-pans. Cope's fhameful de-
feat is kneWn to every one j fo that it need be no
farther obferved, than that it gained the pretender
and his rebel army fo much credit, that they ad-
vanced even a gresit way into England, and it was
thought highly expedient to put the king's -forces
upon another footing, by appointing them a gaK
lant and much-beloved leader, in the perfon of his
royal' highnefs William duke of Cumberland.
The prince accordingly took the command of an
army aft Edinburgh, which confuted of fourteen
battalions of infantry, two regiments of dragoons,
and fifteen hundred Highlanders. Near the be-
ginning of April be bent his march towards the
pretender, who had fome time before retreated north-
ward, and lay encamped at Culloden, about a mile
from Inverness ; but with a very considerable force,
having been joined by lord Kilmarnock, lord Bal-
merincs and many other noblemen. The pretender
fuffered his highnefs to pafs the Spey without mo-
leftation, though he might have difputed it
with great advantage, that he might cut off
his retreat. To defeat the duke he confidently
thought was certain. And to this idle piece of
vanity, he facrificed all his advances to a crown*
Particulars of the memorable aftion, which enfued,
are not here to be expreffed. It is enough to fay,
that all the Pretender's forces, and with them, all his.
hopes, were totally defeated. And though in the
carnage which folldwed his troops* in their ef-
forts to efcape, fome a£b which are contrary to
Britifh heroifm, it is faid, were tranfacted, they
muft have been performed by the enraged foldiers in
the general ardor of purfuit, and caa never tarnifh
the glorious memory of his immortal conqueror.
Of the perfohs of note taken, prifoners, the lords
Lovat, Balmerinoy and Kilmarnock, were beheaded ;
but the earl of Cromarty, and many others^
were
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G E O .R,G E-JIk - ^93
were pardoned. As for the pretender, ^)iu
efcaped in. a. French veflel to Nantes-, which,
coniidering the vail rewards offered for his
;head, (thirty; thpuftnd pounds fjrom England, and
twice, as much from Ireland) was indeed wonder-
ful - 9 efpecjalfy as many poor Highlanders of both
fexes were privy to his haunts for four fljonthsi,
during which time he fkulioed about : from pkce to
place, till he found an opportunity to embark. His
efcape, however, ferved only to preferve his life,
. far even the pope and Romiih clergy foon forgot to
tpay him any mark of d ill i notion ; and on, his fa-
: thec's death, fo fa/* from, keeping alive any preten-
:ficm to the crown of Great Britain, he faund na
, friend but bi& brother the cardinal of York. In-
„ deed fuch meafures were taken by his majefty in
confequence of thjs rebellion,, that the revival of
any pretender's claim could not have been attended
by the fliadow of fuccefs. The Highlanders were
ail difarmed, and an act was palled in 1747, abo-
1 idling the peculiarity of their drefs, which it was
fuppofed might otherwifc keep party diitinctions.
alive. In ihort, every method v/as jrurfued which,
could ferve to prevent any fuch commotion for the
future.
The loyal Scots, who were by much the ma-
jority, were in this refpecl: particularly active, and
concurred zealoufly with the parliament in rooting
up the feudal forms and conftitutions which were**
till then fo fatally adh#ed fo irf J the Highlands*
In few years, a willing fubmiflion to the prefent
happy eftablifhment fucceeded. And agriculture,,
manufactures and commerce, which through family-
pride and prepoffenlons, had been heretofore neg-
lected, were at the clofe of this reign cultivated ia
Scotland, with the greateit affiduity.
O 3 GEORGE
Digitized by GoOgle
394 Niw Histohy of SCOTLAND.
G E O R G £ HI.
GREAT-BRITAIN at this
1 7 6.0. ..prince's acceffion was truly happy.
.' - 'Through the whole iflaad there were no
Separate views, intereftf , or purfuits j and to this
day, whatever tends to throw liiftre on the natives of
the one part, is acknowledged, by the candid, to be
an honour to the other. Amongft the illiberal and
the vulgar indeed, fome national prejudices do ftill
iubfift. Butrmay they perifh with the memory of
thofe ^atj^^^ijlirie^ flfom wfefece thay at firft
aroft.^Andnrofe the treaty of union was hot more
the #ffe& of wife policy, than of cordial <afre&ion»
may th« difagreeable diftinftion of Englifhraan and
' Soatctiitan be for ever loft, in the common, in *b*
glohptfs, ^ind in the envied name of— Br*tqw^
r i n i s,
d by Google
4 >!"mH -.V3 T A
j l! r 5 ft :, u I
tHHOiqO^0O ; |;qAL
>.**
to vv:-!
i'ND'El
403, T?£R G US, wssflaiHirt hmk. ^ 1
418 X/ Eugene, was drowned in the Humbtr %
452 Dongard ib.
457 Conftantine ft.
479 Congal ib.
501 Goran, was put to death by hisfubjetts ib.
5 35 Eugene %d 3
558 Conval ib.
568 Kinnatel jk.
569 Aidan ib*
604 Keneth ib.
•605 Eugene 3^ ib.
62* Ferchard, yJ»s defofed^ wbevfttrwardsde-
Jiroyed him/elf in a dungeon ib.
#32 Donald ib.
646 Ferchard 2d ib.
664 Malduin, was murdered ib.
1&84 Eugene 4/A 4
689 Eugene yh %.
£97 Amberkeletb, was murdered ib.
699 Eugene 6i£, tu<w fn>rf Ay Art nobles fir the
fuppojed murder of his wife ib»
715 Mur-
Digitized by GoOgle
CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX
A. D. ^ Pag
715 Murdac V- ^
730 Etfiri- • < _5
701 Eugene jth, was put to death by his fubj efts ib.
763 Fergus 2d, u as murdered ib.
766 Selvac ib.
787 Achajus, entered intq a friendly alliance with
Gi)aAemagne J ' ; * 6
819 Con vial 2^, ix- as drowned in the Spey. ib»
831 Alpin, was beheaded by the Picls ib.
834 Keneth 2*/, entirely fulducd the Picls > and
united them with the Scots 7
854 Donald 2d' " < 8
858 Canfiantirte-4k/. wds beiteaded ' ly 4he Danes ib.
874 Eth, was put to death by his JubjeSts ib.
875 Gregory, built Aberdeen , and was an ally
.. - ; vf Alfred the great ib.
892 Donald %d • 9
^03 ^Gonfianj.ine yf. rf/igned. the crrwn, and
turned monk ' , ib.
538 Malcolm, was murdered .< , - 10 .
947 Indufr : : ib.
961 DuiF, is reported tqbje killed by witchcraft . . ib.
965 Culen,* tt/tfj ^/ViW ^y ^ thane, of Fife for
.';; ravijhing his daughter 1 1
..$70 Keneth 3^, 7/7^ tf Arcc; that dmnkennefs
jhould be punijhed zviib death , and was the
firji prince who got the fucceffion to the
crown fettled on his Jltu ' M
994^Co^ii^antine 4^. faf of Galen, by power Jet ^ j
ajide the new law, of his predecejfdr, but
j * in the contejl for the kingdom^ wa\s flfiin 12
096 Grim, grand/on of Duff, vcftded by the old
;i " ' ItiWy in preference to J$alcclm, Jin >of ,
Keneth 3^, but was fain ? , .„'_ ib.
* *COO Church Hifiory, jrom the x planting ]of
,;.• chriflianity x te nhat *e%a . •*;!;,,_ • - 13
^004 Makolm ^^/, legiflator of Scotland, and
conqueror of the & a *ws x was murdered 16
'1034 Duft-
I
Digitized by GoOgle
C HRONOLOG ICAL'INDEX.
A. D. Pag*
1034 Duncan, was murdered by Macbeth 17
IO40 Macbeth, iv as killed by the injured Mac-
duff > thane of , Fife 1 8
1057 Malcolm yl, introduced the EngHJh laws
manners, language, and titles, into Scot-
land, was /lain at the fiege of the cajile of
Northumberland 19
1093 Donalbane, ujurped the croum again/} his
nephew ) but was dcpofed 22
1095 Duncan, an ufurper* was hilled by the earl
of ftlearns ib.
1098 Edgar .„-,' ib.
I IOO Church Hiftory /,,, >; ; f . ( .g 2$
1107 Alexander, who introduced fher coin into
the kingdom * 23
j 1 24 David, who is /aid to have compiled the
fyjhm of laws Jiiled Regium Majejlatem 24
1 153 Malcolm 4*A . .25
1 165 William • 26
1200 Church Hiftory 28
1214 Alexander 2d y the firfl who bore the fyan
for his arms % u 29
1249 Alexander yl, was killed by his borfe rujb-
ing down a precipice 3 1
1263 The battle of Larges y in which the Norwe-
gian invaders were defeated 33
1285 Margaret 35
1 29 1 Interregnum 36
Edward I. of England' afferts his foversign-
ty over Scotland 37
1292 John Baliol performs homage to Edward
for his kingdom 49
1296 E'dward depifes John, mid fends him pri-
foner to England, with the crown y regalia^
and coronation chair 44
1297 Second Interregnum 45
Wallace oppofes Edward on behalf of bis
country ib.
1298 Eat*
d by GoOgk
CHRONOLOGICAL IN£EX.
T29§ £*/*& jf /*«//•* , v o ' fj
1 300 Church Hiftofy V v -.^ 40
1365 ^illace^sb^frajei^^^^ed % 40
1300 Robert 2fc>»?* " ' ' ; 7 Tr
X2H Battle of Banmcbi^n r f*>?
1119 £**//* */ !M//<w, <? r rt* white baittleV 53
J326 Reprefentatives of boroughs* were firj0n T
traduced to par [tament \ ' <l
1329 David 2 d, ir . ■ ' r * A ^
1332 Edward, fin of John Baliol> .aferts his
claim U the crown, fights the battle of Duf-
ptin, and is crowned at Scone 56
1333 totttle of Halidon Hill 5 g
J 347 Battle *f Durham, in whieh king David .
w as taken prifimr ■ \\: * 63
*3S7 !><&id obtained loth lis li forty, and khtg-
***?* 64
I370 Robert 2 d 9 the firjl who introduced %o/d ,..
coin, and+hat made ufe of a device and
motto in his arms 66
1 388 Battle if Chevy^ace 6a
1390 Robert id 70
1 400 Church HiAory ■ 7^
« ■ ■■ was murdered 8a
1437 J^es 2d gj
1450 , yfo/* Douglas 86
"' . - 1 ■ was killed by the esphfion of a cem-
*m 90
1460 James yl oj
I482 Eight unworthy favourites taken out of the
king's tent) ana hanged in his pre fence j. 94
1487 Second Battle of Bannocburn, in which ihe •
. king was defeated, and afterwards killed 96
1488 James 4th 97
*497 ~ —fupports Perkin Warbeci 9*
J509 Printing wasfirjl introduced into Scotland 10s
1513 Battle
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CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX,
A.D. \ £ag.
15 1 3 Battle of Fhddetty fatal to tbt king* Wtd c
mojl of the nobles , .,, . ,V ,104
Church Htftory of ihcpajt century f , ,. Mob
1514 James $th \^ / ib
1527 ef capes from Falkland^** StirJing $
in the habit of a groom v , ; V , v 1 14
1532 Court of feffions was founded^ _\ .; v 123
1542 Ten thoujand Scotch furrender the^ijelves
to 500 Englijh* at Splway^firthy without
any refijlance ,v , *£2
James dies with grief for the events Qft.by
poifon il?.
1542 Mary V. 123
1546 JViJhart was burned for protejlantifm 126
Perfecuting Beatoun was put to death by
Lejley x \, 127
r547 -#*"/' °f MuMlburgy «r i*/*&y _* ( 129
1 558 Afory married the dauphin of France , 1 33
1560 Popery was overturned* ana the prote/lant
faith and worjhip eflaUiJked by parliament -139
1565 Mary marry s Henry Stewart lordDarnfy 145
1566 Rizio her favourite was killed 148
1567 Henry lord Darnly was murdered iji
Mary three months after* marries BothwAl
the fuppofed murderer 152
1567 James 6th 154
1570 TTtf regent Murray was killed 159
1 57 1 The regent Lenox was killed 161
1572 3^Af» <&w* died --.."' *x&3
1582 c /fc* raid of Rutlrven 164
1587 $$ueen Mary VJas beheaded 174.
*599 Gowries conspiracy > jqj
i.6oo Church Hiitory ib.
1603 James Juiceeded Elizabeth on the throne of , r
England 498
1625 Charles *» ' p ,V 209
1633 -i n «w crowned in Scotland " 210
; ' >C' : u * £i(>3# Charles
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civ
CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX.
A. D. p ag .
1637 Chorus introduces Laud 9 5 liturgy into the
kirky but without fuccefs 21 1
'1639 ~ marches againjl the Scots with an
army 2/4
1649 Charles was beheaded * . 2TI
1*651 Charles id y was crowned at Scorn 232
1660 » ■ is welcomed to London 235
j 662 ■ ejfablijhes epifcopacy 237
1678 Archbijbop Sharp was tilled 245
1685 James nth 252
Earl of Argyle was beheaded 253
1688 The Scotch parliament voted that James the
jth had forfeited the right of the crown y
and then fettled it upon William and
Mary. 258
1692 Maffacre of Glenco 263
1695 National bank was ejlablijhed 265
1 701 James jtb died at St. Germains 267
1702 Anne 268
1707 Treaty of union ratified 285
1 7 14 George 286
1 715 A rebellion in favour of the Pretender 287
1 7 17 A fecond rebellion 288
1727 George 2d 289
1736 Porteous executed by the populace of Edin-
burgh 290
1745 A third rebellion 291
1746 Battle of Culloden 292
1760 George $d 294
. .'1 4
69 515 AA A 30 - *r*>
■ ^ . ■
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